Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma is finally set to make his competitive comeback after six months out of action with a dislocated ankle.

The Holland international has been pencilled in to play in Villa’s next reserve game with Chelsea on March 2.

Bouma had initially been lined up to play last Monday against Arsenal’s second string but was withdrawn, after his leg felt sore on the morning of the game.

But the 30-year-old, who signed a new two-year contract earlier in the campaign, is now back in training and will concentrate on building up his general fitness, while Villa are in UEFA Cup action away to CSKA Moscow this week.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill said: “Bouma should play in the next reserve game. He should have played last week but felt a bit sore on the day of the game.

“He will not travel to Moscow for the UEFA Cup game with CSKA but he will do some work here.”

Bouma sustained the injury in the Intertoto Cup clash with Odense BK at Villa Park in July, which prompted O’Neill to sign Nicky Shorey from Reading.