Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ has tested positive for coronavirus, the Aston Villa star has confirmed.
Since his head injury during an English top-flight game where the Claret and Blue Army stuttered to a 2-1 defeat by West Ham United in November 2020, the Egyptian is yet to feature for the Villa Park giants.
The 26-year-old went down under the challenge of Declan Rice while trying to connect to Douglas Luiz’s flick in the 71st minute.
Upon his return to first-team training at their Bodymoor Health training ground on Thursday, Trezeguet contracted the virus alongside several first-team players and staff.
“After being hit in the head with six stitches, I was exposed to a tear and a hindquarter and I was not able to play for a month, then after rehabilitation and the beginning of the return to group training, I was infected with the coronavirus. Thank God for everything, and may God heal every patient,” the Egyptian wrote on Instagram.
Following Aston Villa’s state of health, they fielded academy team in their 4-1 FA Cup third-round loss to Liverpool last Friday, while their Premier League game against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur has been rescheduled.
“Aston Villa can confirm that Wednesday’s scheduled fixture with Tottenham Hotspur has been postponed,” a statement from the club read.
“The club has been in dialogue with the Premier League and Public Health England since the training ground was closed last Thursday following a significant Covid-19 outbreak among first-team players and staff.
“The club would like to thank the Premier League, Public Health England and Tottenham Hotspur for their understanding of our unprecedented and unique situation.
“Our Premier League fixture against Everton has now been rescheduled for Sunday, January 17 (KO 12noon). The club continues to wish those affected by the virus a speedy recovery.”
Trezeguet teamed up with Aston Villa on July 24, 2019 from Turkish Super Lig club Kasimpasa for a fee of £8.75 million.
At first, he struggled to adapt to life in England but he went on to score six goals in 34 games, including his brace in their victory over Crystal Palace and provided two assists as his team escaped relegation to the English second-tier.
In nine games played so far in the 2020-21 English top-flight campaign, the former Al Ahly, Excel Mouscron and Anderlecht man has made significant contributions, helping his side secure eight wins to occupy eighth spot in the Premier League with 26 points and with two games in hand.
