Ahmed Elmohamady winning race to be fit for Championship play-off final as Aston Villa gear up for Wembley showdown with Fulham in training

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Aston Villa defender Ahmed Elmohamady is making good progress in his recovery from injury and stands a good chance of playing in the Championship play-off final.

Villa stand on the brink of a return to the Premier League as they face Fulham at Wembley on Saturday and the 30-year-old is a player boss Steve Bruce would dearly like available.

Elmohamady was absent for the second leg of the semi-final at home to Middlesbrough last week after suffering a hamstring injury in the first game at the Riverside and there were fears he could also miss the showpiece at the national stadium.

John Terry was put through his paces on Wednesday as Aston Villa prepare to face Fulham

Jack Grealish shows his close control as Villa step up their preparations for Wembley

Villa face Fulham in the winner-takes-all Championship play-off final on Saturday

However, things are looking much more positive after the Egyptian resumed training.

'He trained today and yesterday and we will see how he is tomorrow and then we will give him every chance,' said Bruce on Wednesday afternoon.

'We will give him another thorough work out on Friday because one thing going into a play-off final, or any game at Wembley, if you're not 100 per cent then it's a big, sapping pitch. He has trained the last two days so he has got a chance.'

Elmohamady has been in fine form this season and so it will be a blow if he is forced to miss out, leaving Bruce needing to shuffle the pack.

If he does not make it then James Bree is likely to fill in, as he did against Middlesbrough for the goalless second leg at Villa Park which clinched Villa's passage to the final.

Ahmed Elmohamady is winning his race to be fit for the showpiece occasion this weekend

Steve Bruce revealed on Wednesday that the 30-year-old is making good progress

Bruce, who has no other injury problems ahead of the game, thinks the game at Wembley is too close to call.

Fulham finished a place and five points above Villa in the final Championship table, with both teams managing a win apiece in their meetings during the regular season.

'How can you call it?' said Bruce. 'Fulham are favourites? They're always wrong the bookies! It will be close. We are all looking forward to it.'

Midfielder Robert Snodgrass was in good spirits as Villa aim for Premier League promotion