Aston Villa’s fixture against Bolton Wanderers has been postponed following the collapse of Fabrice Muamba during the Lancashire club’s FA Cup quarter final with Spurs

The Premier League tie was due to take place on Tuesday evening, but a statement on the club’s statement says that the match has been called off following talks with Villa.

“The club would like to thank Aston Villa and the Premier League for their kind support and understanding at this time,” it said.

The 23-year-old former Birmingham City player remains in a critical condition in hospital after apparently suffering a heart attack just before the end of the first half of the match on Saturday.

Paramedics desperately tried to resuscitate Premier League footballer but could not get his heart to start beating on its own for almost two hours.

He went into cardiac arrest and paramedics were unable to start his heart working by itself again until he reached London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green, east London at 8pm.

Muamba remains anaesthetised in intensive care at the hospital which is seven miles away from the stadium.

Club manager Owen Coyle thanked fans for their support, adding: “All our thoughts and prayers are for Fabrice and his family at this time.”

A joint statement from the hospital and Bolton Wanderers read: “Fabrice Muamba remains in a critical condition in intensive care in the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital.

“He was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening after collapsing at White Hart Lane where he sustained a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter final against Tottenham Hotspur.

“Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to the London Chest Hospital where his heart eventually started working.

“As is normal medical practice, Fabrice remains anaesthetised in intensive care and will be for at least 24 hours. His condition continues to be closely monitored by the cardiac specialists at the hospital.”

Coyle added: “Fabrice’s family have asked me to pass on their thanks for the many, many kind messages of support from not only Bolton fans but also fans from clubs across the country and abroad.

“All our thoughts and prayers are for Fabrice and his family at this time. The family would also like to thank the media for respecting their privacy at this time.”

As a packed White Hart Lane looked on, with a worldwide audience watching live coverage on ESPN, the Trotters midfielder suddenly fell to the floor. Confusion turned to horror as medics sprinted on to the pitch to begin resuscitating the young man.

Players looked shocked and watched in disbelief as the former England under-21 star was treated with a defibrillator for several minutes before being stretchered off wearing an oxygen mask and taken to hospital, accompanied by Coyle and Wanderer’s captain Kevin Davies.

World Cup referee Howard Webb abandoned the game.

As the message was relayed around the stadium with the score at 1-1, the fans applauded and chanted Muamba’s name.