Sidwell finally ready to make Villa impact

Midfielder Steve Sidwell has resumed full training after an injury-hit start to his Aston Villa career.

Sidwell was signed from Chelsea for £5.5million in the summer but his involvement has been restricted by calf and knee injuries.
His only senior action for Villa came in the Intertoto Cup matches against Odense in late July.

But now the 25-year-old former Reading player has been given the all-clear to join in full training and is hoping to make up for lost time, although he is not expected to feature in tomorrow's UEFA Cup match against Litex Lovech.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: 'It has obviously been a frustrating time for Steve, who was keen to make an impression with his new club.

'Throughout his career, he has managed to stay injury-free - until now. But he is now available for full training again and wants to play a full part.'

Sidwell said: 'To get these setbacks has been a blow for me after deciding to move to Villa but hopefully there is now some light at the end of the tunnel.

'You want to make an impression when you move clubs and it will be good if I can make up eventually for lost time.

'The club is really buzzing at the moment, in the top four of the Premier League and hopefully going to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Cup, and it is an exciting place to be.'

Sidwell's return to full training means O'Neill has a clean bill of health in terms of his first-team squad.