Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos has offered an update on his injury recovery.

Carlos flew out to the Middle East with the first-team ahead of the Premier League's return on Boxing Day. The break for the World Cup has given the 29-year-old valuable time to step up his recovery from an Achilles injury he suffered back in August.

Almost four months have passed since the injury, but Carlos is pleased about the progress he has made in the gym.

"I'm happy, everyday I have work, my body is very good, it's better," Carlos told Villa TV.

"I needed to train on the bike and the work, the physio. It's very good for me because I needed to improve the work and the mobility. It's been very, very good.

"Before I didn't need a long time but now it is necessary, the time. I try hard work every day with the physio, Oli (Stevenson) and everybody."