Villa still keen on landing Sidwell as reports of £5m deal from Chelsea are branded 'premature'

Villa were understood to have agreed a £5million deal for Sidwell last night but reports have been described as "premature" by sources close to the Midlands club.

But Villa are still optimistic a fee will eventually be struck with Chelsea, although it may not happen until next week.

Wanted: Aston Villa are still keen on Steve Sidwell.

Sidwell has been one of manager Martin O'Neill's main transfer targets since the season ended.

The midfielder played a significant role in Reading establishing themselves against the odds in the Barclays Premier League two years ago before moving to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer in the summer of 2007.

But the former Arsenal trainee, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City, had limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant as Chelsea narrowly missed out on the league title and Champions League glory.

Sidwell made only 15 starts last season and will now look to rebuild his career under O'Neill if and when a move goes through.

The Villa manager has a number of other targets in the pipeline, including Blackburn winger David Bentley who has been linked with a £15million switch to Villa.

O'Neill is aware of the need to considerably bolster what was the smallest squad in
the Premier League last season.

The Northern Irishman has already lost the services of Olof Mellberg, Patrik Berger and Thomas Sorensen, while Scott Carson has ended his season-long loan from
Liverpool.

Midfielder Gareth Barry is certain to leave once Liverpool match O'Neill's £18million valuation of his captain.

El-Hadji Diouf, Darren Bent, Jimmy Bullard, Tom Huddlestone, James Milner, Aaron Lennon and Pascal Chimbonda are all possible targets along with Sporting Braga right-back Joao Pereira and Crystal Palace teenager Shaun Scannell.