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Aston Villa fans may be about to see the best Yannick Bolasie has to offer, as the 29-year-old opens up on the dark times he faced while injured in an interview with the Birmingham Mail.
What’s he said?
Bolasie has declared himself fit to start ahead of Sunday’s Second City derby, marking the end to his injury nightmare that left the 33-cap DR Congo international in a ‘dark place’.
The 6 foot 1 skilful winger told the Birmingham Mail: “I’ve only just entered full training with the team, there was a time here when I wasn’t even running.
“I didn’t have a pre-season. I didn’t do anything, but I’m getting there slowly.
“I’m enjoying it here and I think that is starting to show on the pitch now, too.
“Especially last season after being in a dark place with my injuries.
“When you’re injured, you want to get back up as soon as you can. Looking back, I came back too early. I rushed back because I wanted to play a lot more minutes.
“I played more minutes at Everton when I came back than I have at Villa so far. But now I’ve done it the right way and I’m starting to see the rewards.”
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What does this mean?
The love Bolasie is showing for life at Villa will only mean the winger will come back stronger, having not forced himself into another early return to first team action.
At Everton, the Lyon-born ace had a reputation and price tag to live up to after four years at Crystal Palace brought the winger to the attention of many for his skilful and pacy work down the flanks.
It never really worked out at Goodison Park and the Cruciate Ligament Rupture played a key part in that, having ruled the Rushden & Diamonds product out for more than a year – missing 53 matches for the Toffees.
The loan move to Villa in the summer has provided Bolasie with a chance to regain the form he lost from his days with the Eagles, and a full return to fitness will let the 29-year-old give it his all rather than being hamstrung by injuries.
How does he fit in Smith’s plans?
Bolasie will face stiff competition to start under Dean Smith, as his bit-part inclusion in the side while building fitness allowed Ahmed El Mohamady and Albert Adomah to establish themselves as first choice starters, with Jonathan Kodjia the chosen back-up.
The on-loan Toffee will give Smith a highly valuable squad player, thanks to his ability to play on both sides of the pitch, but that is nothing more than he has so far been capable of providing his new boss.
The difference in what the winger – valued by TransferMarkt at £13.5million – will have to offer is in allowing Kodjia to push further forward to support Tammy Abraham as a striker.