Aston Villa have agreed a fee of £5.5million for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, the player who left Reading last summer on a free transfer.

Sidwell has not been a regular choice at Stamford Bridge and will be excited by what has to be considered a move forward, given his lack of games this season. He was an integral part of Steve Copells Reading midfield during the previous season and is a player well suited to Martin O’Neils footballing style.

The only question is whether Villa are bolstering their small squad, or looking to Sidwell as a replacement for Gareth Barry who seems intent on joining Liverpool.

Villa will reluctantly allow Barry to leave if Liverpool meet their valuation of £20million.However it seems that Liverpool would much rather unload some of their over priced fringe players in a player exchange deal, than meet Villa’s valuation in a cash deal.