Gabby Agbonlahor hands Aston Villa injury boost but Ron Vlaar still out
Gabby Agbonlahor today handed Villa a fitness boost and could return to face West Ham.
The striker has missed the last two games with a foot injury but is making good progress ahead of the Hammers' visit tomorrow.
"Gabby looks pretty good at the minute," boss Paul Lambert said. "You miss the speed of him. I think the game at Everton would have been perfect for him because if you've got that speed over the top you can use it."
But Ron Vlaar is a doubt after limping off in the 2-1 defeat at Everton last week with a tight hamstring.
Ciaran Clark and Nathan Baker will play in the centre of defence if the skipper fails to recover in time.
"Ron is a doubt," said Lambert. "We need to see how he is today but he's not joined in training yet.
"If he is not fit we've still got the two lads at the back anyway. It is somebody else's chance to get into the team."
Joe Bennett is edging nearer fitness following a back injury after playing in the under-21s' 2-0 defeat to Reading on Monday while Chris Herd is out with a hamstring problem.
Jores Okore is also closing in on fitness and is expected to return next month,.
