Combative star Steve Sidwell could be back in the starting XI when Villa take on Manchester City on Monday night.
The ginger ninja missed the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn and the Carling Cup clash with Cardiff due to a thigh injury.
He sustained the problem during his warm-up routine before the Bluebirds game, which Villa won 1-0.
But, with Nigel Reo-Coker being punished for his training ground antics, Sidwell's is set to make a timely return as Martin O'Neill reverts back to 4-5-1 for the crucial City showdown.