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.
He bears a very famous Villa name. No, not Omar.
Nice to see that Carew graced the training ground with his presence. We're not worthy.