The game was a real end to end thriller with Villa running out 4-3 winners on the night to cement their place at the top of the reserve league.
Goals from Nathan Delfouneso (2), Jonathan Hogg and Ciaran Clark sealed the victory, but all eyes were on Bouma, who suffered an ankle dislocation against Odense last July.
The Dutch defender couldn't have picked a better time for a comeback with the Claret and Blue on a run of five games without a win and Carlos Cuellar in poor form.
Bouma is set to push Cuellar all the way for a first team place with Martin O'Neill likely to ponder switching Luke Young back to his natural right full-back berth.
The clash with Man City on Wednesday will come too early for Bouma, but there is no reason why he shouldn't be involved near the end of March, should he stay setback free.