Vassell on way back for Villa

Darius Vassell is aiming to put four months of frustration behind him after making another comeback from a broken ankle for Aston Villa reserves.

Vassell completed the full 90 minutes of the Premiership Reserve League clash with Bolton at Bescot Stadium.

The England striker is set to have another reserve run-out away at Newcastle on Monday if he suffers no reaction.

Vassell underwent initial surgery after suffering the injury against Fulham at Villa Park in mid-October.

He made his first appearance for the final half-hour of last month’s reserve clash against Manchester United.

However he complained that the ankle felt sore afterwards and had keyhole surgery to clean it out.

It has been a miserable spell for Vassell who missed the decisive penalty for England in their Euro 2004 semi-final shoot-out with Portugal in June.

Vassell said: “It has been very frustrating for me. It isn’t nice to sit things out. You want to be part of it.

“I’ve been through similar things before and I am sure I will come through this stronger than ever.”