Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton won't made the Premier League's restart due to his knee injury recovery.

He will miss Aston Villa's crunch ten-game battle against Premier League relegation.

The England keeper has been out since New Year's Day after sustaining a serious knee injury in a 2-1 win at Burnley.

Heaton told Sky Sports: "The injury is coming along really well. We are four and-a-half months post-operation, give or take.

"But I'm really pleased with the progress. It feels solid and stable. I'm back out on the grass doing a bit of running and then I am slowly going to build it up.

"In reality, it's going to be a big ask to get back in terms of this season.

"But I'm certainly hopeful to be ready to roll by the time the season kicks off next season, whenever that is going to be."