Davies to return to training

Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies has been given the go-ahead to resume training after three months on the sidelines following shoulder surgery.

The former England Under-21 player went under the knife in mid-September after his shoulder popped out of its socket three times in the space of a month.

Davies had been expected to be recuperating until the new year, but will return to training next week ahead of schedule.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill confirmed: "Curtis has had some really good news. He saw the specialist and he has given him the okay to train.

"It is one of those injuries where you wouldn't have been tempted to rush anyone back but he has been doing very well.

"The original time frame was about 16 weeks but Curtis is the sort of person who is always determined to come back ahead of schedule.

"I think the specialist is pretty pleased, and so are the physios here who have worked very hard with him.

"He was ill for a couple of days last week but, with a wee bit of luck, should join in with us training-wise next week."