Aston Villa virus set to force training ground closure

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert plans to quarantine the club's training ground in order to get rid of the virus sweeping through his side.

Villa lost three players to illness before playing Arsenal and had others struggling during the game as they were beaten 3-0 at home.

"We are probably going to let the lads stay away for a couple of days to try to clear it," said Lambert.

"The staff as well as they have got it as well."

Villa defender Nathan Baker and striker Darren Bent were ruled out with the virus on the morning of the match, while Ashley Westwood was named in the starting line-up but did not make the game.

Lambert was also forced to take off striker Andreas Weimann at half-time, while Fabian Delph was also struggling with illness.

"You try to play everything down but Ash was being sick in the warm up and I think Andreas was starting to get it during the game," said the Villa boss.

"I don't know what kind of virus it is but it is certainly doing its rounds at the training ground so we will clear that place for a couple of days.

"Hopefully, in a few days it will be fine."

Villa's defeat was their first in the league this season after they had earned 10 points from their opening four games.

"To play Arsenal you need everyone fit and we never had that, but all credit to them for the second half - the lads were running on empty.

"The players have been brilliant at the start of the season and if somebody had said we would have 10 points by this time I would have taken it."