Saturday, 20th September, 2014
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert has bemoaned a mystery virus sweeping through his squad after watching his team go down to a 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal, spoiling their positive start to the season.
Lambert's men managed to contain and frustrate Arsenal for the first half an hour of the Premier League contest at Villa Park, but Mesut Ozil made the breakthrough for the Gunners in the 32nd minute.
Then Danny Welbeck opened his Arsenal account, striking just two minutes later, before an Aly Cissokho own goal two minutes after that saw Villa's chances all but ended with a three-goal blitz.
Searching for reasons, Lambert revealed a virus which has been affecting his players, and has even spread to the staff.
"You try to play everything down but Ashley Westwood was being sick in the warm up and Andreas Weimann was getting it during the game. Nathan Baker and Darren Bent were also out with it", Lambert told the BBC.
relatedNewsStory
"To play Arsenal you need everyone fit. The players have been brilliant so far this season and if somebody had said we would have 10 points by this time I would have taken it.
"We are probably going to let the lads stay away for a couple of days. The staff have got it as well. I don't know what kind of virus it is but it is certainly doing its job", the Aston Villa boss concluded.
Next up for Aston Villa is a trip to Chelsea, followed by a visit from Manchester City.
Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.
