Darren Bent was today included in Villa’s squad for the trip to Chelsea after a scan on his thigh/groin revealed no fresh injury concerns.

The England international missed Villa’s goalless draw with Stoke on Boxing Day after complaining of soreness in the area following training.

But club medical staff have since confirmed it is not a new injury and the 27-year-old has responded well to treatment at Bodymoor Heath over the past couple of days.

It is a boost for Villa boss Alex McLeish who had initially thought he would only have to choose from rookie strikers Nathan Delfouneso and Andreas Weimann to partner Gabby Agbonlahor in attack.

McLeish was also encouraged by news that Emile Heskey, who limped out of the Stoke game at half-time with a recurrence of an Achilles injury, could be back for the visit of Swansea on January 2 after his injury was not deemed as bad as first thought.

Meanwhile, defender Alan Hutton has spoken of how his partnership down Villa’s right flank with Charles N’Zogbia has started to blossom.

Hutton is available again for the game at Stamford Bridge having served a one-match suspension for the red card he received against Arsenal and believes he is starting to build up a rapport with the French winger.

“We can help each other. That’s what happens – it’s about partnerships,” said Hutton.

“It’s getting to know each other’s games. I can help him, he can help me and the more we play together the more that can click and we can hopefully become a great partnership. He’s definitely been getting better and he’s a great talent. You can see it in training and you know from his performances at Wigan and Newcastle that he’s a top quality player.

“Sometimes it just takes time for people to settle in, become comfortable and build up their confidence. Hopefully that’s starting to happen now. I think it can happen where supporters forget players are human beings and think we’re mechanical, but I can understand why.

“They pay their money and they want to come and see the players on a Saturday playing to the best of their ability. For different reasons it doesn’t happen every week.”