Jores Okore hands Villa an injury boost ahead of next season

Defender Okore returned to training at the end of last season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury last September.

But Kozak will take more time to recover from the broken leg he suffered in January.

The pair were Lambert's big money buys last summer with Kozak joining from Lazio for £7m and Okore signing from FC Nordsjælland in a £4m deal.

Lambert said: "Jores trained towards of the season for a couple of weeks and was doing great. He'll probably need fitness like anybody else because he's been out a long time.

"Libor had his broken leg and is doing well but he's still a wee bit away. So those two are doing really well."

"I think Jores will be okay for the start of the season. Libor we'll have to wait and see."

The duo are joined on the sidelines by Christian Benteke who won't be fit until at least October after rupturing his Achilles in April.

Charles N'Zogbia will return for August after recovering from his own Achilles injury which has kept him out since last June.

The Frenchman will be welcomed back by Lambert after it was previously thought he had no future at the club.

Chairman Randy Lerner wants a return on the players the club are playing for while he searches for a new owner.

Lambert added: "Christian's the same (as Kozak) but Charles will be fine on that side of it as well.

"But those two lads, it's every footballer's nightmare the injuries they've had. Christian's was a nightmare of an injury."