Aston Villa's Tamworth training ground is to be sacrified to the HS2 project.

Contracting firm O’Brien has started work to relocate parts of the Aston Villa FC's Recon Training Ground in Bodymoor Heath, Tamworth to make way for HS2, Construction Enquirer reports.

The pitches at Bodymoor Heath are being relocated on the training ground site because of work ahead of the construction of the first London to Birmingham phase of the high speed rail line.

The aim is to enable the football club to continue to use the site, despite the railway works.

There will be nine natural pitches and one 3G pitch once the work is complete at the site near Tamworth. All academy pitches and two first team pitches will be lost, Birmingham Live reports.

O’Brien will provide plateaus and associated works for the construction of the new pitches, which will be provided by other contractors, Construction Enquirer said. There will also be new drainage and a new road. Work on site is due for completion in September.