Villa pull plug on trip to China

Aston Villa have followed the example of Everton and pulled out of an end-of-season tour to China and Hong Kong because of growing fears over the spread of the SARS virus.

Villa had been scheduled to play against Shenzhen in Guangdong, China on May 23 and then Shandong in Hong Kong two days later.

But Villa have decided such a trip could compromise the health of their players and staff and they have withdrawn.

Villa would have collected around £300,000 (€434,000) for their exertions but a club spokesman confirmed: “Given the current situation concerning SARS in parts of Asia, we felt that it was unwise for us to travel.

“We regret that but it is vital that we do not put the welfare of any of our players or staff at risk.”

The British Foreign Office are already recommending that non-essential travel to the SARS-affected areas should currently be avoided.

Villa are unlikely to arrange an alternative end of season programme and their next involvement abroad will be a tour of Scandinavia in July.