Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba insists he will return stronger after his latest injury lay-off.

The Zimbabwe international has not played since suffering a knee injury in December.

With a return on the horizon, Nakamba is excited to get back into action.

He said: "It's my first big injury since I started playing professional football, so I've had to be strong.

"People around me have been encouraging me but I also knew in myself that these things can happen. I have to focus on getting better, becoming stronger and stronger.

"I'm working on being stronger mentally, physically, everything.

"My team-mates have been there for me from the day I had my surgery, supporting and encouraging me."