Pups rescued from bin surprise Aston Villa players

Aston Villa Women's First Team players were left feeling emotional after meeting a litter of abandoned puppies rescued from a rubbish heap.

The six female Staffordshire Bull Terrier-cross pups were only a few days old when they were found in a binbag by a member of the public in the Aston area of Birmingham last month.

Staff at Birmingham Dogs Home hand-reared them and named them Daly, Ellie, Stan, Océane, Kirsty and Gabi, inspired by leading Aston Villa players.

Their namesakes were surprised at their training ground in Tamworth with a visit from the puppies, in what players described as an uplifting moment.

Player Noelle Maritz received cuddles from puppy Gabi, who was named after Gabi Nunes

Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck said: "This was such a lovely surprise, and it lifted the squad's spirits.

"Knowing what these pups went through and seeing how safe and content they are now made me feel really emotional. Birmingham Dogs Home have given them an incredible level of care."

The puppies are expected to become available for adoption from early December once they are fully weaned, vaccinated and healthy.

Left to right: Ellie Roebuck, Lucy Staniforth, Gabi Nunes, Océane Deslandes, Kirsty Hanson and Rachel Daly each with the pups that were named after them