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Yannick Bolasie has revealed how his injury hell had left in him a ‘dark place’ that he is only now starting to emerge from.

The 29-year-old declared himself ready to start the Second City derby next Sunday in an interview with BirminghamLive.

And he spoke candidly about his struggles to reignite a career that saw him move from Crystal Palace to Everton for an initial £25million fee back in August 2016.

Bolasie, who has only featured from the bench for Aston Villa since joining on loan from Goodison Park for the season, claims he only started full training with the rest of the group THIS MONTH.

But the days of looking back on the past are over as he is now firmly focusing on landing a place in the starting XI against Birmingham City on Sunday.

See whether Gregg Evans thinks Bolasie has done enough to earn a start here:

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“I’ve only just entered full training with the team,” said Bolasie who had been sitting out of sessions in previous weeks to protect his knee.

“There was a time here when I wasn’t even running.

“I’ve been building up from the start - since I came to Aston Villa.

“I didn’t have a pre-season. I didn’t do anything.

“Me coming to Villa, at the start with no pre-season so I had to build myself up, always meant it would be a slow start.

“But I’m getting there slowly.

“I’ve been ignoring any reports because I know what my plan is.

“Obviously. I am getting ready now.

“But there’s so much competition in the team which is great.”

Bolasie has already scored twice for Villa this season in 10 substitute outings..

And he looked back to his best at Derby County where it was his introduction - and vital assist for the opening goal - that helped Villa to a 3-0 win.

Now he’s hoping to put the pain of rupturing a cruciate ligament just four months into his Everton career - and a year on the sidelines thereafter - to the back of his mind and focus on making the most of his time in the Midlands.

“I’m enjoying it here and I think that is starting to show on the pitch now, too,” he said.

“That’s the main thing for me. I’m overwhelmed by that.

“Especially last season after being in a dark place with my injuries.

“When you’re injured, you want to get back up as soon as you can.

“Looking back, I came back too early. I rushed back because I wanted to play a lot more minutes.

“I played more minutes at Everton when I came back than I have at Villa so far.

“But now I’ve done it the right way and I’m starting to see the rewards.

“I’m confident in my body now and able to deal with the training sessions.

“That’s the main thing because I want to be out there.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo ace has ambitions of returning back to the Premier League.

And while he suggested it was too early to discuss what happens after his loan spell in B6, he did admit that an extended stay with Villa in the top-flight would appeal.

“When I come to Villa and looked around the place, it’s a Premier League club.

“But we’re not just going to get there without a fight.

“No team will just let us win in this league.

“It’s up to us to put on performances like we did at Derby.”

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That starts against Blues this weekend and Bolasie is excited.

“I’m really looking forward to it and seeing what the stadium is going to be like and what the fans will be like,” he added.

“I’ve watched the (Second City derby) game on TV before and enjoyed it but I want to see it in the real.

“We need to play the game not the occasion.

“Ability-wise our team is up there but obviously we have to focus on the game.

“We have one of the best teams in the Championship but we need to show that more often.

“I was actually enjoying watching us from the bench at Derby!

“But getting on was good. I’m getting back into my flow slowly and hopefully I can do more for the team now.

“Before it wasn’t full on.

“I can see it in my performances and when I’m running that I can help this team.”