Aston Villa defender Wilfred Bouma is on the verge of returning to action after six months on the sidelines with a dislocated ankle.

The Dutchman is set to play in Villa's reserves next match against Chelsea on the 2nd March and will be considered for the first team shortly thereafter.

"Bouma should play in the next reserve game. He should have played last week but felt a bit sore on the day of the game," said Villa boss Martin O'Neill.

"He will not travel to Moscow for the UEFA Cup game with CSKA but he will do some work here."