The defender spent last season on loan at Villa Park, but suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in March.

However, boss Martin O'Neill has seen enough in the centre-back to tie him to a four-year deal as Villa prepare for a European campaign next term.

"I think everyone knows what game I'm targeting - the game at the Albion on 20th September," Davies told Villa's official website when asked about his return from injury.

"It's a very tight thing but potentially I think I can be back for that.

"Obviously it'll be down to the gaffer and I hope the team that starts the season gets off to a flier. I'm not going to expect to walk straight back into the team for any game.

"I just need to keep progressing really. I can't worry about any one individual game, as much as I'd love to play that game, there's a lot more to the season.

"Hopefully with a long European campaign coming up. I need to make sure I'm right for the whole season and not just the one game."