Aston Villa will play a behind closed doors friendly this week in a bid to give their fringe players some game time over the international break, reports the Express and Star.

With a ten-day wait until they are next in action, Dean Smith has chosen to give those not involved with their international sides an opportunity to impress, as well as get match fitness as he looks to push on through the winter months.

Villa signed off with an impressive win against Derby County and look to have turned a corner after a tough start to the season, but Smith is leaving no stone unturned as he aims to squeeze every last drop out of his talented squad.

Villa have 12 senior players away on international duty, but those left behind will feature at the Bodymoor Heath, Villa's training complex, in tomorrow's game.

He revealed that the training staff are looking at many different ways of keeping their players in shape and alert.

“We are having to come up with sessions which are going to test them and make them better. It’s a two-fold thing. We are trying to make them better and invest time in them. They are making us better, that is for sure.”

Villa are currently 11th in the table, four points off Derby County in the final play off spot.

The Verdict

This is a great way to keep players fit and happens more often than fans realise. Some clubs have these friendlies built into their training structure, playing such games monthly to ensure the fringe players are kept on their toes.

There's some talent in the Villa squad that hasn't had a chance to shine recently and if they can get them on form, it'll be a big boost going into the festive period.

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