The £20m Summer signing finally made his first start last night and is now hoping for more first team action at the weekend.
"I started for the first time in seven or eight months in the first XI - that's very hard," said Aquilani.
"After that length of time it's difficult to be fit but I'm happy because I'm playing and that means I'm getting there. My ankle is better, it's improved, so while the result was not good here, from a personal point of view it's been good physically.
"I can play better but it was important to start and to run. I need to play, play, play because I'm in a new team.
"The first half I was okay and then after that a little bit tired, but that's normal. Now I need to work hard in training for my body.
"I hope I can play against Arsenal."