Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has expressed his delight at the return to action of summer signing Stewart Downing after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old has yet to kick a ball in anger for the Villains since his £12million switch from Middlesbrough in the summer having broken his foot at the tail end of last season, ironically, courtesy of a late tackle from Villa captain Stilian Petrov!

However, after seven months on the sidelines the England winger Downing has returned to full training and is eager to impress at his new club to the joy of Ulsterman O'Neill.

"I've been very pleased to have him back out training, but if I'm pleased, he's absolutely delighted," a gleeful O'Neill told the club's official website.

O'Neill intimated that injuries can be a depressing factor in the game, especially for players at a young age, but he admits Downing spirits have been untarnished.

"It's the footballer's worst nightmare. Injury-wise the one thing players, particularly young players, hate is medium or long-term injuries.

"It knocks your spirit but, interestingly, his has been very, very positive throughout all of this and that helps."

He added: "At least he is getting a little bit of football and joining in. Who knows exactly when he will be fit but it is all encouraging anyway."

Downing will be hoping to cement his place in the Villa side upon his return before concentrating on his long term goal, a spot in Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer.

However, James Milner and Ashley Young might just have something to say on both fronts!