Ashley Young fitness boost for Villa

Ashley Young has handed Villa a major fitness boost ahead of a demanding period of festive fixtures.

Villa face Tottenham on Boxing Day before they travel to Manchester City two days later and then head to Chelsea for their first fixture of 2011 on January 2.

Young did not train last week with a knee injury and did not travel with the rest of the Villa squad to Lancashire for the postponed clash with Wigan.

There had been reports that the 25-year-old would be out for up to a month with an ankle injury, but manager Gerard Houllier confirmed he only suffered a knock to his knee in the win over Albion.

And the Villa boss expects Young will be fit enough to be involved against Spurs in six days' time.

Houllier said: "His ankle is fine, it's a knee problem. I hope to get him back for Tottenham.

"It's a medial ligament, grade one strain. He should be OK for Tottenham or at least available. He didn't train at all. Last week he just went out for a bit of running. He's been in practically all of the games and his work rate is phenomenal.

"He can withstand the physical pressure, but he's the most fouled player when he plays in the centre."

Houllier also revealed that midfield trio Fabian Delph, Stiliyan Petrov and Steve Sidwell have joined in some light training sessions.

Delph has been out with a cruciate knee ligament injury for eight months.

Villa captain Petrov (knee) and Sidwell (Achilles) are also closing in on full fitness after lengthy lay-offs.

Houllier said: "The three positive signs are that Fabian, Stiliyan and Steve took part in some training. Fabian trained with us a couple of times last week.

"Stiliyan is not ready but within two weeks he could be competitive again. Steve is coming back. He should be OK very soon.

"They didn't do everything but they took part which is between rehabilitation and getting into full training. They are not far.

"We've had a lot of injuries and sickness, so it is not been easy."