Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies has undergone successful surgery after suffering a ruptured Achilles during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal.The 22-year-old centre-back, on loan at Villa Park with a view to a permanent move from West Brom in the summer, went under the knife in London on Saturday only hours after sustaining the setback during the first half against Arsene Wenger's side at the Emirates Stadium.

He will return to the Midlands later on Monday and faces several months of recuperation and rehabilitation - but his injury is unlikely to affect his £9.5million switch from The Hawthorns.

Sources close to Villa indicate it will be "around six to seven months" before Davies fully recovers from the setback which means it could be October before he can contemplate playing again.

Davies told Villa's official website: "The operation went ahead on Saturday evening and the surgeon said it went very well. Obviously there's a little bit of soreness there now and I'll just have to rest it up and let everything settle down."

The timing of the injury could not be worse for Davies as he was named in England coach Fabio Capello's initial squad for last month's friendly international with Switzerland at Wembley.

Zat Knight is now in line to replace Davies for the final two months of the campaign.

Knight played a key part during the first half of the season but lost his place to Davies in late December after having to serve a one-match suspension.

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