Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is expecting star striker Darren Bent to return for the Boxing Day clash with Stoke City.
The England international has missed the past two matches with a groin injury but should be ok for Monday's trip to the Britannia Stadium.
"We thought he might be ready for the Arsenal game, but he was still feeling it a little bit over the last couple of days.
"But I'd hope with treatment and rest that he will be ready to come back. We are certainly expecting him to be ready for Monday.""Benty is very close. I'd like to think he's round the corner now," McLeish told the club's official website.
