Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey is now expected to be fit for his club's Christmas fixtures after his groin injury turned out to be less serious than expected.

Manager Martin O'Neill told the club's website: "He went for a scan which shows a little bit of something, but he himself is feeling much better."

He added that this meant the England forward could be fit for the games against Arsenal and Liverpool between Christmas and new year, rather than missing five or six weeks as had been feared.

The player limped out of last Saturday's game against Stoke City with the strain.

Those suffering with a groin problem or a similar problem may find that ultrasound treatment helps to aid recovery.

Heskey's likely presence against former employers Liverpool comes at a time when the Merseyside club has been linked with a move to take him back to Anfield.

A Daily Mirror report has said that the Merseyside club's boss Rafa Benitez is seeking to bring in Heskey as one of two new signings in the January transfer window.