Olly Goes Back To His Roots

Olof Mellberg has stepped-up his preparations for a double dose of European Championship action by returning to former club AIK Solna.

Mellberg and Villa Park team mate Marcus Allback face San Marino on Saturday, before returning to Sweden for a home game against Poland on June 11.

And, in an effort to stay in peak condition, the classy defender accepted an invitation to rejoin Solna for a few extra training sessions.

He explained: "I had to do something to keep up my fitness and it's nice being back in familiar surroundings. You can't prepare for back-to-back qualifiers just by playing golf all the time."

Mellberg and Villa's other on-duty internationals will return on July 15 - a week after the rest of David O¡¦Leary¡¦s squad.