James Milner could face Aston Villa this weekend

Manchester City midfielder James Milner could return to action against former club Aston Villa this weekend after four games out.

The 26-year-old incurred a one-match ban after his sending off against West Brom on October 20 and then suffered a hamstring injury. Milner left Villa, who visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, in a reported £26million deal which saw Stephen Ireland move in the opposite direction in the summer of 2010.

In an interview published on the club's website, www.mcfc.co.uk, Milner said: "I've been progressing well and I'm back training so I'm hoping to be available for Villa."