The £10m signing has not played for the club since his move from Middlesbrough in the summer because of a fractured foot.

But he is closing in on a return to action, with a possible debut pencilled in for next month.

Milner, who has impressed for club and country in recent weeks, cannot wait to have his fellow England international playing alongside him.

very hard

"It is great to have Stewart nearly fit," Milner said.

"He is a top player. He will prove to be a great signing for us, another good addition.

"He has started training again. He has been out for a while so it will take him a few games to get that fitness back but he has worked very hard to get where he is.

"It wasn't a nice injury. It was a tough injury to get back from but he has worked very hard and it will be great to have him back and another great addition to the squad."

Villa have started the season strongly, with the 2-1 win over Chelsea last month the highlight of a campaign that currently sees them sit in fifth place in the Barclays Premier League.

They travel to Burnley on Saturday to take on a side who have lost just once at home in the top flight this season.