Aston Villa's Dutch World Cup star is back from injury and ready to count himself in for Saturday's Old Trafford clash.

United boss Louis van Gaal is ready to snatch the big defender from Villa when his contract runs out in the summer.

It was the then Holland boss who oversaw Vlaar's rise to stardom at last summer's World Cup in Brazil.

But since then, life has been anything but plain sailing for the 30-year-old who started the season with a knee injury.

That, plus a calf strain along with suspension have restricted Vlaar to just 14 appearances this season.

AUDITION: Ron Vlaar could be snapped up by Louis van Gaal for free in the summer [GETTY]

He's missed the last five but is ready to answer Villa boss Tim Sherwood's call to arms.

Vlaar said: "I'm as happy as a child to be honest. It was really frustrating to have another setback and that's happened a few times.

"But I feel good now and that's most the most important thing for me. I hope to be involved at the weekend.

"That's what I'm aiming for now - for myself and for the team. It's been really hard.

"The knee injury was unfortunately something which would have happened one way or another but the calf kept coming back. It's all good now."

Vlaar has a real shot of a return with central defenders Nathan Baker and Philippe Senderos definitely out and Jores Okore doubtful with a swollen knee.