John McGinn will reach a morale-boosting milestone when he returns to the Bodymoor Heath training pitches this week after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.



Aston Villa’s influential midfielder broke his left ankle just before Christmas and has missed the last eight Premier League games as well as the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Leicester City.



The Athletic understands McGinn is due to start running on the grass again either today (Wednesday) or tomorrow and will then work on building up his fitness ahead of a speedy return. The Scotland international even harbours ambitions of making the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City on March 1, although his chances remain slim with so little time before then.



Villa manager Dean Smith still thinks there is a possibility though, saying: “He is a fighter and a quick healer. I would not rule it out.”



In a televised interview with Prince William over the weekend, McGinn was asked by the...