Villa defender Freddie Bouma has given Martin O’Neill the green light for his return to first-team action.

The Holland international has two full reserve games under his belt, after recovering from the horror ankle dislocation suffered in July and is now keen to play a part in Villa’s vital end-of-season run-in.

Left-back Bouma revealed he hopes to be part of the squad which travels to Manchester United for the crunch Premier League showdown.

He said: “I’m pleased with how things are going and, fingers crossed, there will be no setbacks and I will be involved soon.

“I’m glad I’ve got a couple of reserve games under my belt. Every week it feels better.

“With an injury like this sometimes you have days when it doesn’t feel so good but overall things are only looking upwards.

“I now have to wait until I am involved in the first team but it’s getting closer. Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will be travelling again and I can play my part in the last few games of the season. It’s down to the manager though.

“I know other players who have had injuries like this and it’s taken them 10 months to play their first competitive so maybe I’m a little bit ahead of schedule.”

His availability would be a welcome boost for O’Neill, after his defence leaked five goals in Sunday’s 5-0 mauling at Liverpool.

The Ulsterman has opted to play right-back Luke Young on the other flank during most of Bouma’s absence.