Davies made the switch across Birmingham last year but suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon which ruled him out for most of the season.

As expected, Martin O'Neill has tied the former Luton defender down to a long-term deal and Davies is now targeting Villa's clash with Albion on September 20 for his comeback.

Davies, who was signed by West Brom from Luton for £3million in 2005, told Villa's website, avfc.co.uk: "I think everyone knows what game I'm targeting - the game at Albion on September 20.

"It's a very tight thing but potentially I think I can be back for that.

"Obviously it will be down to the gaffer and I hope the team that starts the season gets off to a flier. I'm not going to expect to walk straight back into the team for any game.

"I just need to keep progressing, really. I can't worry about any one individual game, as much as I'd love to play that game, there's a lot more to the season - hopefully with a long European campaign coming up."

Davies added: "I need to make sure I'm right for the whole season and not just the one game."