Aston Villa goalkeeper Tom Heaton says his return from knee injury is progressing well.

Heaton has been out of action since suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during the New Year's Day win at Burnley.

“Actually, really, really well if I'm honest," he said of his recovery. "I know it's obviously a difficult time, but for me personally, the timing of it, sort of worked in my favour.

“I'd just finished the medical point of view, obviously you don't stop getting the hands on treatment from the physios but it was just coming to a bit less at that point. I was moving into a strength phase, just as we got locked down.

“I've been able to use a bit of gym equipment at home and sort of build it up, if I'm honest, it feels really good and I'm making really good progress. I'm running, back doing a bit of acceleration and deceleration...not that much acceleration though!

“I'm really pleased with my progress, it's feeling really, really good. No complaints at all. I've been able to maximise the time and with not a lot else to do, I've literally just been blasting the rehab. Getting down to do my gym work at 6.30 in the morning, couple of hours and I'm away."