Aston Villa continued preparations for the resumption of the Premier League season by completing two training exercises alongside Leicester City on Wednesday.
The midlands neighbours participated in two 11 v 11 sessions, one at Villa Park in the afternoon before a different group of players benefitted from another at King Power Stadium in the evening.
The training exercises are designed to further prepare Dean Smith’s side for their return to top-flight action next week, with Villa hosting Sheffield United on Wednesday, June 17 (ko 6pm).
The Premier League season was suspended in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Villa’s squad maintaining fitness levels by following individual programmes from home while also remaining in regular contact with management, coaches and club officials.
All Premier League clubs were able to return to small group training in mid-May, while maintaining social distancing, under Step One of the Return to Training Protocol.
That was followed by a resumption of contact training in late May, ensuring all squads were able to train as a group while minimising any unnecessary close contact.
Each stage has been completed in line with strict medical protocols to ensure the safest environment possible, with players and staff regularly tested for COVID-19.
Following confirmation of next week’s provisional restart date for the 2019/20 season, Villa have now started engaging in 11 v 11 training exercises alongside other clubs to help aid their preparations.
They will help Villa fine-tune their fitness levels and matchday plans, while also ensuring Smith’s side become accustomed to the nature of behind-closed-doors matches without supporters in stadiums, in line with health and safety requirements.
Having faced the Foxes in two sessions on Wednesday, Villa will continue to step up their preparations in readiness for the final 10 matches of the campaign.
