Villa move for Chelsea’s Sidwell

Villa have moved into pole position to sign Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell after a £5.5m fee was agreed.

Martin O’Neill will now get the chance to clinch his first major signing of the summer.

Villa are now expected to beat off competition from eight Premier League clubs for the former Reading star.

At the front of that queue are Villa, who along with the Toffees and Boro, have sparked the tug-of-war for his services.

The amount is £1m less than the Blues’ asking price for Sidwell, who arrived last summer on a free transfer, yet it should still be enough to prise him away from west London.

Sidwell, who is currently away on holiday, has failed to hold down a first-team place at Stamford Bridge.

It is understood he is surplus to requirements under the new regime of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The 25-year-old has been a target for O’Neill for some time.

His arrival would be sure to at least temporarily pacify supporters concerned by a lack of signings this summer.

Contrary to reports, his arrival would not necessarily pave the way for Gareth Barry’s departure to Liverpool.

O’Neill keen to acquire Sidwell to bolster his midfield in a threadbare squad anyway, in preparation for a potential European campaign.

Villa are still waiting for a fourth bid for Barry, with reports indicating the Reds have been put off by the skipper’s £20m price tag.