Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has taken advantage of an extended break to take his players on a trip to Spain, and the Villa boss feels the training camp has been a beneficial experience.

Villa play away at Fulham on Saturday, with their previous outing having been a 2-0 defeat to Reading on 10th February.

"It was good for players to get together and, at this time of year, it was excellent," O'Neill added.

"But the proof will be in the pudding - it is whether you win the games or not.

"Bolton Wanderers took a break recently and were 3-0 down in 20 minutes at Tottenham, so who is to say? But I genuinely think it was good.

"If there is a wee bit of sun around, everyone feels a wee bit better - simple as that."