Villa players 'must live within 30 miles of training ground'

Aston Villa players will be forced to live within a 30-mile radius of the club's Bodymoor Heath training ground, the Birmingham Mail reports today.

The clause will be inserted into the contracts for all new signings and extensions amid concerns that long commutes are affecting the performance of players who live outside the Midlands.

Stephen Ireland and Stephen Warnock recently agreed to relocate to the area after encouragement from new manager Alex McLeish.

Villa, who are currently seventh in the table, resume their league campaign on Saturday with a trip to Man City.