Midfielder Steve Sidwell has completed his £5million move from Chelsea to Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old has agreed a three-year deal and will immediately link up with his new team-mates for a pre-season tour of Switzerland.

His arrival also increases the likelihood of club captain Gareth Barry leaving, although the speed of that deal will depend on how quickly manager Martin O'Neill and Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez can reach a compromise after weeks of haggling over a fee for the England international.

"I am absolutely delighted to join. I am over the moon. It's taken a while but now it's done I am excited and looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting on the pitch and playing football," Sidwell told the club's website.

"There's been a lot of speculation and rumour about the deal and it has played on my mind a little but I've been professional and kept my head down."