Maloney working on fitness

The Scottish international joined Villa in a £1m move from Celtic, making his debut in the 2-0 defeat at Reading. It was his first outing in almost three months and he admits he is grateful for the chance to work on getting up to 100 per cent. "This break has come at a good time for me personally," he admitted. "It's given me time to work on the fitness side of things. In the Reading game I struggled over the last ten or 15 minutes. That's something I needed to work on. Hopefully I can do enough to be involved against Fulham and hopefully we can take something from that game."

It is always difficult joining a new side midway through the season but the 24-year-old has settled quickly thanks to some familiar faces. "I obviously know a few people here: Stiliyan and some of the coaching staff. So I'm starting to find my feet a bit." Villa fans will hope he finds his feet well enough to guide Villa to a first Premiership away win since November at Craven Cottage.