Aston Villa: Bouma is on road to recovery after a career threatening injury

Oct 8 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

Wilfred Bouma

WILFRED Bouma has made another huge step in his return from the horrific injury which threatened to end his career, coming through 90 minutes of competitive football.

The Dutch international played the entire Pontins League clash with Villa reserves against Wolves last night at Villa Park, which ended 1-1.

The left-back admitted afterwards it had been a good test after 14 months on the sidelines and a major bonus on the long road back to full fitness.

The defender suffered a devastating break playing in the UEFA Cup against Odense early last season and was then hit with a further setback when he discovered he needed further surgery to clean up loose bone.

But Bouma is confident he is now back. He said: “My last 90 minutes were six months ago with the reserves and then I had another couple of spells but it didn’t feel right.

“I had to go back for another operation but it feels right now and I am just glad to be back out there playing 90 minutes and this time without any pain on the ankle.”

Bouma, who claims the support of Villa fans and the love of his family have helped his long, lonely road to recovery, added: “I feel everything is coming back which is a wonderful feeling.

“You think because you suffered such a horrible injury you will have some discomfort but before it was more than discomfort. You can cope with that but not with pain.

“Now it feels well so I feel very positive.”

Bouma knows it is now about match-fitness although he insists work on that is already well under way.

“I have to be patient,” he said.

“I have already been training for a couple of weeks and the fitness is coming back. Another couple of games and I think hopefully I can give the gaffer a bit more of a problem but we have a big squad now.”