Barry exit signals Villa swoop for Chelsea midfielder Sidwell

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Manager Martin O'Neill expects to open negotiations with Chelsea midfielder Sidwell over a £5million transfer as Barry's move to Anfield took a significant step forward.

O'Neill has moved quickly to find a like-for-like replacement for the England international whose £18m exit to Liverpool is imminent.

Looking for a fresh challenge: Steve Sidwell

Barry's move appeared to have hit a snag because Liverpool wanted O'Neill to take Steve Finnan as part of a playerplus- cash exchange.

But Anfield's finances have now been swollen by £10m following Peter Crouch's sale to Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth and Aston Villa officials believe it is now only a matter of when, not if, 27-year-old Barry fulfils his desire to play Champions League football.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had previously been scratching around for cash to finance the move and Villa had thrown out a payment plan spanning three years.

O'Neill is a long-standing admirer of Sidwell. The former Arsenal trainee appeared in the Irishman's first game at Villa Park and his performance that night - playing for Reading - greatly impressed.

The midfielder is due to hold a meeting with Chelsea manager Phil Scolari today and is understood he will be told he is unlikely to figure in the first team, thus paving the way for O'Neill to quickly conclude a deal.

Ideally, he would like the player on board when Villa kick-off their pre-season campaign in Zurich on Sunday. Spurs keeper Paul Robinson is another definite target, with David Bentley (Blackburn) and Anton Ferdinand (West Ham) also on O'Neill's wish-list.

The Villa boss said: 'We're in the market - strongly - for players. We will be competing because we're light on numbers. Yes, Gareth's situation has been an issue, but we have not taken our eye off the ball.

'Bids have been going in. Negotiations are taking place on