Dean Smith says the "uncontrollable" coronavirus outbreak which caused two of Aston Villa's league games to be postponed is a warning to other clubs, reports BBC Sport.

Boss Smith takes his side to Manchester City on Wednesday, having only reopened their training ground on Sunday.

Villa have not played for 19 days after two Premier League games were postponed when several players and staff tested positive for Covid-19.

"It is a warning and it was certainly a warning to ourselves," Smith said.

"You're worried about anything you touch after that because you can see how rampant it is."

Smith would not name which players had caught the virus and who was still struggling, but said his team selection for the trip to Etihad Stadium would be "affected".

"The first day was almost like the kids' first day back in the playground and they were full of energy and enthusiasm," said Smith, whose side are 11th in the table.

"It was good to see them back on the grass again. They looked really bright, so I'm hopeful for a bright return.

"I'm not going to make any excuses for the issues."

"The doctor called it an uncontrolled outbreak in our bubble," Smith added.

"We have no idea how it came into the camp. We followed all the protocols."

Players and support staff were tested on New Year's Eve and returned negative tests, Smith said.

When they were tested again a few days later, there were nine positive results of which six were players.

Smith said a round of testing the following day produced another five positive tests, with "a couple more" after that.

"A lot were asymptomatic," he added.

"One of the players who tested positive said he felt good and two days later he was laid up in bed with symptoms.

"We're thankful that our doctor was very quick to deal with it."