Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill hopes for Bouma boost
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is optimistic full-back Wilfred Bouma will return from his horrific dislocated ankle before the end of March.
The Dutchman sustained the injury following a collision with an opponent in the early stages of Villa's Intertoto Cup third-round victory over Odense at the end of July.
Bouma has since undergone a lengthy rehabilitation process, but the left-back played his first 90-minute competitive match in almost eight months in a reserve meeting with Chelsea on Monday.
O'Neill, who has seen his small, UEFA Champions League-chasing squad begin to show signs of weariness following a run of six games without a victory in all competitions, had previously hinted that Bouma could play a part against Tottenham on 15th March.
However, the Villa boss has now implied that the trip to Liverpool on 22nd March could be a more realistic target after announcing that the final stages of the 30-year-old's recovery could take a 'couple of weeks'.
O'Neill told Villa's official website: "I'm really pleased to see Wilfred back.
"While he still has a way to go in terms of proper fitness and getting over everything, I'd be hoping that he will be able to come and help us along in the final stretch.
"He certainly has his determination, enthusiasm and drive back.
"The rest will be a bit of a process now over the next couple of weeks, but I hope that reserve game will hasten things on for him."
