Aston Villa have reached a deal to sign midfielder Steve Sidwell from Chelsea - Martin O'Neill's first new arrival of what is expected to be a hectic second half of the summer. Villa have settled on what is believed to be a fee of around £5m for the former Reading player, subject to him passing a medical. If that goes to plan, Sidwell will then fly out to Switzerland to join Villa's pre-season tour.

Sidwell has been one of O'Neill's primary transfer targets since the season ended. "Aston Villa have agreed to sign Chelsea's former England Under-21 midfielder Steve Sidwell, subject to a medical," confirmed a Villa statement.

The 25-year-old played a significant role in Reading's first Premier League season in 2006-07 before moving to Stamford Bridge last summer. Sidwell, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City, subsequently had limited opportunities at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant.

His arrival will offset some of the disappointment surrounding the club over the expected departure of Gareth Barry to Liverpool. O'Neill is now sizing up a number of other new signings, such as Paul Robinson, James Milner and David Bentley.