Villa hope to welcome back James Collins and Emile Heskey for Saturday’s trip to Burnley.

Wales defender Collins and England forward Heskey have both been unavailable for international duty this week after missing the 5-1 thrashing of Bolton nine days ago.

The pair have been receiving treatment after suffering setbacks in the defeat to West Ham three days earlier – Collins with a groin problem and Heskey with a back injury.

But boss Martin O’Neill has received positive bulletins on both players.

He said: “The medical staff are quite happy with the progress they are making at this moment. They still have quite a number of days before we are back in action.

“We will see how the lads come through training. I’m not looking too far ahead especially as we have Richard Dunne involved in two huge games for the Republic of Ireland before we comes back.”

O’Neill faces a potential selection dilemma should Collins, one of Villa’s most consistent performers this season, prove his fitness.

Carlos Cuellar was outstanding in his place in the centre of defence, while Luke Young impressed at right-back in what was his first start of the campaign.