Aston Villa hopeful James Chester will be fit for Blues derby clash

The 29-year-old’s participation in the showdown with rivals Blues had been cast into doubt after he was forced off during Wales’ 2-1 defeat to Denmark last Friday.

Chester has been checked over by Villa’s medical team since returning to Bodymoor Heath at the start of the week.

No decision will be taken until closer to the game, though it is understood the club are at this stage optimistic over the centre-back’s chances of playing.

Having Chester available would ease a significant headache for Villa boss Dean Smith, who has no natural replacement for the skipper in the heart of defence.

After an inconsistent start to the season, Chester has also shown signs of returning to his best form of late, helping Villa keep back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season in the last two matches.

He is not Smith’s only injury concern ahead of the derby.

Left-back Neil Taylor is also a doubt after pulling out of the Wales squad with an injury sustained in Villa’s 3-0 win at Derby earlier this month.

Influential midfielder John McGinn, meanwhile, is continuing to battle as he looks to recover from the calf strain which forced his withdrawal from the Scotland squad.

Villa head into the game 11th in the Championship and aiming to record their third straight win and fourth in six games since Smith replaced Steve Bruce in the Villa Park hot-seat.