Matthew Lowton hopeful over fitness

Matthew Lowton has expressed his confidence that he will be fit for Aston Villa's opening Premier League encounter away at West Ham United this weekend.

The 23-year-old had been rated doubtful for the clash because of an ankle injury that he sustained during the club's pre-season training camp in Germany.

However, having missed Villa's friendly against Werder Bremen at the weekend, the defender is hoping that he will be part of manager Paul Lambert's plans for the trip to Upton Park.

"I took a knock in training on Friday so the manager said just as a precaution to sit that one out," said Lowton. "But I'm back in training now so everything's fine. It was my ankle and it just had a bit of swelling on it, but I just sat it out so it didn't get any worse.

"I'm definitely excited ahead of Saturday and it will be great, if selected. Hopefully I'll be involved in the squad at least going down there.

"With it being a Premier League game the atmosphere will be electric down there at West Ham so, fingers crossed, I can start and we can get a good result."

Lowton joined Villa from Sheffield United earlier this summer.