Boubacar Kamara has handed Aston Villa a key injury boost ahead of their game against Chelsea on Saturday.
After sitting out the last two matches with an ankle knock, the French midfielder is in contention for the Premier League game at Stamford Bridge after Unai Emery confirmed he was ahead of schedule in his recovery.
The Villa boss told reporters: “This week he has been training with us, and if tomorrow he’s ready and he’s normal, I think I can use him in the squad.”
Only goal difference separates Chelsea and Villa as both clubs eye a late run at qualifying for European football next year, however Emery has stated his ambition is simply a top-ten finish.
Leander Dendoncker is another returning player for the game in west London, the manager has confirmed, after being unavailable through the whole of March.
However, Matty Cash will miss out having picked up a calf injury on Poland duty. The club estimate his recovery timeframe at two to three weeks and Ashley Young will compete with Calum Chambers to deputise at right-back.
Philippe Coutinho is still missing with a hamstring issue and Diego Carlos is not yet fit to start despite a recent return to the bench after an Achilles injury.
