Aston Villa expect Joe Cole to recover quickly
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert expects Joe Cole to be fully fit for the start of the Premier League season despite a thigh injury.
Former England midfielder Cole, who arrived at Villa Park as a free agent last month, sat out Thursday's 2-0 win over Major League Side side Dallas after picking up the injury against Mansfield last week.
However, Lambert is confident the 32-year-old will be ready to make his competitive debut when Villa begin the new season at Stoke City on August 16.
"Joe has a little knock on his thigh. It's a minor knock," Lambert said. He will be touch and go for Saturday (against Houston Dynamo).
"I won't rush him. But I am not too concerned. I think Joe will be fine for the first day."
A major positive for Villa came from Charles N'Zogbia's form. The winger, who missed the entire 2013-14 campaign due to an Achilles problem, scored a spectacular free-kick against Dallas.
Lambert said: "It is great to see Charles come back after a lengthy spell out – it was a bad injury. He's come back in pre-season looking sharp."
