Aston Villa Keep Their Eyes Open To Regular Optician Visits

aston villa stars visit their opticians for regular check ups

In an ever demanding sporting arena, it is of little surprise that sports stars and coaches the world over are looking for that extra something to squeeze that little bit more performance out. Although the 1980's saw a number of infamous incidents regarding the use of illegal substances to chemically improve the athletes physique and abilities, more recent sporting research has lent itself to the more everyday improvements that can be made.

In what has been a season of change behind the gates of Bodymoor Heath, the training ground of the Premier League football team Aston Villa, a wave of new staff appointments have also coincided with a number of new coaching ideas and techniques. Whereas training field exercises and practice plays an integral part in any sportsman or woman's life, it is the things that are done off the training field that can sometimes be the difference between success and failure. One of those ideas is that of the continual assessment of the athletes eyes and vision.

While many see the current incumbent of the managerial hot-seat at the Midlands club, Alex McLeish, as a 'man's man,' a 'no nonsense guy,' and a member of the 'old school' brigade, he is eager to experiment and investigate any avenue that might bring measured success. Although the entire playing squad at the club are now undergoing routine regular eye checkups, one particular star performer so far this season is England forward, Gabby Agbonlahor, and it is he that has been highlighted as a poster boy for Villa's change in direction. The club have seen marked improvements psychologically across the board since optical examinations began, while another noted boost has been attributed to the peripheral vision of the stars, giving extra awareness on the pitch.

It is hard to compare the performances and abilities of great sides across the ages, but the difference between the beer and pie loving footballing greats of the 70's and 80's are certainly now a thing of the past as today's stars are now recognised as finely tuned athletes, with training and dietary methods of paramount importance. It is thus no surprise that as well as a trip to the canteen, many of today's football players, also nip into the opticians, physiotherapists, psychologists and dieticians before they make their way home for the day.

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