Villa close to £5m deal for Blues ace

Aston Villa are reportedly poised to clinch a £5m move for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell - pushing Gareth Barry closer to leaving.

Former England Under-21 star Sidwell is said to be ready to join Villa on a three-year contract worth £45,000 a week and could complete his move next week.

Sidwell only joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Reading last summer but has found first-team opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge and, with the midfielder unlikely to figure in new Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari's plans for next season, would welcome the chance to revive his career elsewhere.

But his expected arrival at Martin O'Neill's side will place further doubt over Barry's future at Villa Park as Villa try to fight off continued interest from Liverpool for the England international.

The Reds had a second bid in the region of £13m rejected last week but remain eager to pair the Villa captain with England colleague Steven Gerrard at Anfield next season, and Barry has admitted he would relish the chance of playing Champions League football.

Barry has made nearly 400 appearances for Villa since joining from Brighton 11 years ago but has hinted he is prepared to waive a lucrative testimonial to clinch the move.