Picture gallery: New boy in thick of action as squad prepare for Chelsea

[Legion]

Players put through their paces on New Year's Eve.



From Pravda:

There may be a few hours left until the clock strikes for the beginning of 2011 but Villa's players have already been gearing up for their first game of the new calendar year.

And there was a new face in the squad as Gerard Houllier put his players through their paces at Bodymoor Heath.

Click here to check out all the pictures.

Colorado Rapids forward Omar Cummings has linked up with the claret and blues, fresh from helping his club to their first-ever MLS Cup triumph.

With the Major League Soccer season coming to an end in the United States, Houllier has decided to take a look at the Jamaica international, who has scored six times in 21 appearances for his national side.

As you can see, Cummings was straight in to the thick of the action.

Villa are gearing up for a difficult trip to last season's double winners Chelsea on Sunday.

The players have been hard at work at their training HQ, determined to climb the Barclays Premier League table after defeats to Tottenham and Manchester City.

There is positive news on the fitness front with Emile Heskey and Ashley Young recovering from injury to take part in training.

Gary Gardner, a long-term absentee with a cruciate ligament injury, is also close to a return and has been getting involved in the training ground action.

Click here to check out all the pictures.

[N'ZMAV]

You sure that's not Wiltord?

[olaftab]

Is this the new Cummings of a saviour? (sorry!)

[Edvard Remberg]

Cue chants - "oh my im cumming"?



Gary Gardner is good news - hope he turns out good like Cheltenham Lion says

[villa1]

Now don't all laugh at me, but I think Dunne looks a lot slimmer in that pic.

[MonsXI]

gabby camping it up! 

http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/82/dc/0,,10265~9297026,00.jpg

[brian green]

He bears a very famous Villa name.   No, not Omar.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Its Chris Rock

[The Man With A Stick]

Nice to see that Carew graced the training ground with his presence.  We're not worthy.

[Willie Anderson]

He bears a very famous Villa name.   No, not Omar.

I do hope you're not thinking of Tommy

[The Left Side]

Blimey they train!?!

[Linus]

Nice to see that Carew graced the training ground with his presence.  We're not worthy.

Yeah, look at him in that picture, undermining the manager and ruining the season...

[brian green]

No Willie I was not referring to Tommy, I was referring to indestructible George.

[TheTimVilla]

He can kick a ball with either foot. Seems overqualified.

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

I'm always amazed to not see the players wearing shin pads, is it any wonder we get so many bloody injuries!