Villa have been boosted by the news Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon Harewood are both ahead of schedule in their recoveries from injury.

Reo-Coker (ankle) and Harewood (broken metatarsal) both suffered the injuries last month and were expected to be out of action for three months, leaving question marks over whether they would play again this season.

But, while boss Martin O’Neill has refused to set a comeback date for either player, the duo are on course to return sooner than first expected.

The manager said: “Both are making really good progress. They are ahead of schedule. It is still going to be a fairly lengthy time but Nigel is more upbeat than before. The operation on his ankle has been successful and he says himself he is a pretty quick healer.

“It was an old injury from his time at West Ham. It’s one of those that now in retrospect it has been great news to have found out about, because it might have been affecting other parts of him.

“He is making good progress and so is Marlon.”

O’Neill, who has given his players time off to recuperate ahead of Sunday’s Burnley clash, would have taken his players abroad had the weather forecasts been better.

He said: “I must admit, freshness is the most important issue. It’s trying to keep players fresh and the best way to do it is to maybe take them out of the environment altogether.

“I had really thought about going away for a day or two. Last year we had a seven-hour flight and, although I enjoyed the trip, you’re always wondering when you come back whether you’re refreshed or not.

“But we got a bit of sunshine. The trip had nothing to do with us losing the next few matches. I think it has a positive effect.

“When I looked at the weather around Europe over the next few days I thought we may as well stay at home really.

“Even the south of Spain, which is only a two-and-a-half hour flight, is under heavy rainfall at the moment.

“I’ve known in the past as a player when the manager used to give us some time off it’s more beneficial than just going through the daily grind.”