Aston Villa remain hopeful that club captain James Chester will be fit and available to face Birmingham City this weekend, according to reports from Express and Star writer Matt Maher.

The defender was forced off in Wales' clash with Denmark in midweek with a suspected knee injury, and he has been checked over by Villa’s medical team since returning to Bodymoor Heath at the start of the week.

Reports have now surfaced however, that although no decision will be made until closer to the fixture, the West Midlands club are at this stage optimistic over the 29-year old’s chances of playing against their arch rivals.

Chester may not have had the best season individually, however has been solid in recent weeks in helping Villa keep back-to-back clean sheets in the league, as Villa launched themselves up to 11th in the table with wins over Bolton and Derby.

Elsewhere however, left-back Neil Taylor and midfielder John McGinn remain doubtful for the clash with Garry Monk's men - the latter was withdrawn from the Scotland squad with a calf injury in midweek.

The Verdict

Villa fans will be praying that Chester is fit - he has been magnificent next to Axel Tuanzebe over the last couple of weeks, just as Villa's defence started to look solid for perhaps the first time this season.

Perhaps an even bigger blow however, is that McGinn could be missing - what a player he has been this season for Villa.