Sidwell’s big chance to fill Barry’s boots

sidwell Villa correspondent Brendan McLoughlin explains how midfielder Steve Sidwell will never get a better chance to fill departed skipper Gareth Barry’s boots.

Steve Sidwell joined Villa hailed as the man to replace Gareth Barry. Now, a year on, he has the chance to do just that.

It has taken 12 months longer than most expected, but the daunting challenge of filling Barry’s shoes now hangs over Villa following the midfielder’s summer move to Manchester City.

One crumb of comfort for the claret and blues was the generous £12million windfall received from City, for a player with just a year remaining on his contract.

The amount would allow Villa to buy either Jermaine Jenas or Fabian Delph with change to spare.

But anyone who has seen Sidwell in pre-season will know the midfielder has been trying his best to save his boss a bob or two, by convincing him he has a ready-made replacement right under his nose.

In fact, the statement of intent made by the £5.5million signing from Chelsea could hardly have been bigger, with two lung-busting performances and two goals in the friendlies at Peterborough and Colchester.

He said: “First and foremost, it’s a great blow to the club, losing Gareth Barry. With his quality, he will be missed, there’s no doubt about that.

“But, as the saying goes, if one door closes then another one opens. There’s a space up for grabs. It’s down to me to take it. Hopefully it will be me who takes advantage.

“It’s going to be a big season for everyone, but particularly for us at Villa, because we have to get over the loss of Gareth and Martin Laursen and try to kick on.

“So the challenge is there for us all.”

By his own admission, Sidwell’s first season in the Second City did not match his own high standards.

There were memorable moments like his Premier League debut strike at Wigan and opening-minute thunderbolt at Everton, as well as a starring role as an additional midfield member in the 4-5-1 which served Villa so well through the winter.

But his campaign was punctuated by injuries, a last-minute substitute appearance in the final game of the season against Newcastle his first appearance since injuring his ankle in the ill-fated UEFA Cup trip to CSKA Moscow in February.

Sidwell said: “It was a bit stop-start for me last year. I didn’t have a pre-season, I was injured during that when I tore my calf.

“I was out about 12 weeks with that. I came back and had a good spell just before Christmas.

“Then the gaffer bought Emile Heskey, changed the system and I never got back in. But, in all honesty, my form had dipped.

“I then picked up an ankle knock in Moscow and that was it. In my mind it was a case of getting the season out of the way and focusing on this one.”

Now all the 26-year-old needs is an injury-free pre-season.

He said: “I’ve made a conscious effort to keep on top of my fitness during the close season.

“I’ve got a lot more to offer the club than what the supporters saw. I was disappointed, but I can do better.”

“I’ve been here a season. I’ve got used to the environment, the new club, the family is settled, so that’s all done. I need a good pre-season. I feel strong and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Stewart Downing last week became the latest England international to join Villa’s growing Three Lions ranks – and Sidwell has not given up hope of one day joining the elite band.

The former Arsenal junior said: “A lot of English players will be looking at it with one eye on the World Cup.

“Villa are a high-profile club. It did wonders for Gareth. If you have a good season, you don’t know where it’s going to take you.

“But that’s way down the line. I have to get into the Villa side first – and then stay there. Everything else can take care of itself after that.”

See Also:

This article was posted on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 at 10:38 am.
View more articles about: blues, chelsea, claret, colchester, cska moscow, emile heskey, gareth barry, league debut, manchester city, martin laursen, newcastle, premier league, steve sidwell, uefa cup, villa.