Alex McLeish puts Aston Villa through Army training

Last updated : 09 November 2011 By Daily Mail

Alex McLeish's side sit eighth in the Barclays Premier League after recovering from a slow start.

But the former Birmingham manager is clearly not taking his foot off the pedal after calling in fitness gurus for a boot-camp session.

Get down and give me five: Army fitness instructor Lee Swann puts the Aston Villa players through their paces

Hard work can be fun: Marc Albrighton looks happy enough despite the punishing fitness programme

Drilled by Army instructor Lee Swann, Villa's players were put through their paces at the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground. It was part of a link-up with the Forces ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Apart from the stars who are away on international duty, all of Villa's squad took part in the gruelling workout.

Wingers Charles N'Zogbia and Marc Albrighton were among the men ordered to run carrying tyres and leap over pommel horses - as well as the classic press-up and sit-up routines.

The old ones are the best: The Aston Villa players are told to do press-ups during their boot-camp session

Up and over: Flying winger Charles N'Zogbia throws himself into the training as he clears the pommel horse

After coming through the ordeal, Albrighton admitted: 'They really put us through our paces and made us work hard. It was something really different from what we're used to.

'There were a few aches and pains but we really enjoyed it. It was good to work with the Army and see what a great job they do.'

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Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail