The super-new Aston Villa training ground complex giving fans their fix

Aston Villa training ground news | the club are making strides off the pitch and have invested heavily in improving the academy setup, including building a new mini stadium at Bodymoor Heath

Aston Villa host Middlesbrough in an under-23 clash at the all-new Bodymoor Heath match complex this evening.

The super-new facility was officially opened on November 29 with Villa smashing six past Portsmouth in the Premier League Cup.

The impressive complex features one 400-seater match stand, a small press box, dugouts and a players' tunnel.

There's also a cashless bar in operation featuring all of your Villa Park refreshment favourites.

It's located a short drive past the main Bodymoor Heath entrance with car parking available opposite the site entrance.

"It's long overdue," explained Scott Ravenhill, who has been watching the under-23s relentlessly for five years now, "a proper home for the development squads.

"As a fan it feel like a proper Aston Villa experience. vs Portsmouth. Hopefully that will make it more attractive for fans and we can build a stronger support for Villa through all the age groups."

The fan experience was in full flow against Pompey, with legendary Villa Park stadium announcer Dave Poulton on hand behind the microphone for pre-match build-up, goal alerts and substitutions.

This reporter was also at the most-recent match at the new facility, with a hundred-or-so braving the arctic and foggy conditions in the North Warwickshire countryside.

But the site gives supporters their Villa fix. What's more is Dean Smith, John Terry, Richard O'Kelly, academy supremo Mark Harrison and performance director Jeremy Oliver were all there watching Villa's young guns stick six past a lacklustre Portsmouth youth side.

Two youngsters who have already made their first-team bows - Jacob Ramsey and Cameron Archer - scored two of the goals with Tyreik Wright, Lewis Brunt and French striker Dimitri Sea scoring.

Of the young bunch, Ramsey, Archer and centre-back Mungo Bridge stood out as Mark Delaney's side played in a fluid 4-3-3 formation, much like the first-team.

Elsewhere at the training ground, improvements are aplenty as owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris continue to plough in funds to keep Villa pushing on into a vibrant, modern-day and sustainable Premier League football club.

As for this evening's Premier League 2 encounter, ex-Villa striker Rudy Gestede is set to feature for Boro on his return from a hamstring injury. Season-ticket holders, meanwhile, can go free but tickets must be registered in advance. Adults are priced at £4, concessions £1.

As for Villa, the club announced that all but one of the under-23s fixtures will now be played at Bodymoor Heath. The game against West Ham United on April 6, 2020, will be the only fixture at Villa Park.