Jonathan Kodjia on the mend ahead of Aston Villa's clash with Brighton

The striker has not featured for more than two months after suffering an ankle injury in the 3-1 opening day defeat at Tottenham, before then breaking a cheekbone in a freak training ground accident.

Kodjia has now been training for more than a fortnight wearing a specially designed mask and is ready to fight for a place in the squad for the match against the Seagulls.

The 29-year-old is now behind both Wesley and Keinan Davis in the pecking order but will provide boss Dean Smith with further competition up front.

Villa are stepping up preparations for the weekend as they look to kick on after their excellent 5-1 win at Norwich prior to the international break.

Though a number of first-team players are currently away on international duty, including Conor Hourihane and John McGinn, seven of the XI that started at Carrow Road have remained at Bodymoor Heath.

Tom Heaton is also back with the club after withdrawing from England duty with a minor knock. The goalkeeper is expected to be fit to face Brighton.

"My lads won't like to hear me say this but it's not an 'International Break' it's an 'International Fixture Period' for us because they're in for a few days.

"The lads who are on international duty, we wish them well and they have to go and work, so the lads who are still here will work as well."