England trio given break as Aston Villa start pre-season training
Jul 8 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
Villa’s players were given individual fitness plans to follow over the summer by head coach Jim Henry to ensure they stay in shape and are anticipating a more conventional warm-up programme than last season after being rushed into Intertoto Cup action a year ago.
O’Neill’s men have nine days to prepare for their first friendly away at Peterborough on Saturday, July 18 and travel to Colchester on the following Tuesday, July 21, before jetting off for the Peace Cup in southern Spain two days later.
Villa’s elder statesman Brad Friedel is looking forward to another season in the top flight even at the grand old age of 38.
The veteran goalkeeper is hoping to stay injury-free to continue his record of consecutive Premier League appearances.
“I’m as enthusiastic as ever about the future and what it may hold,” said Friedel.
“I don’t feel my age at all and I’ve always seen it as my absolute duty to stay as fit as I possibly can be and to keep my form at a high level as consistently as possible.
“Since I retired from international football I’ve had the opportunity to rest up a little between domestic games and over the past few years when I have received the odd knock it always seems to have coincided with the break giving me chance to recover.
“I just love playing football and I concentrate on the game in hand and doing the best I can for the team.”
Villa’s interest in Sheffield United defender Kyle Naughton seems to have come to an end with the Blades asking for £7 million for the young right-back.
O’Neill had Naughton scouted last season and was spotted at United’s game against Plymouth, but Villa have ruled pursuing the England under-21 international.
