Aston Villa FC

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Sidwell makes training return

01 Oct 2008 - 11:43:57

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Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has resumed full training, having seen the start of his career at the club hit by injury problems.

The 25-year-old moved to Villa Park from Chelsea for £5.5million in the summer, but his only two appearances to date came in the Intertoto Cup tie against Odense, before Sidwell suffered calf and knee problems.

However, the former Reading schemer is now back in full training and closing in on a return to action.

He admitted: "To get these setbacks has been a blow for me after deciding to move to Villa, but hopefully there is now some light at the end of the tunnel.

"You want to make an impression when you move clubs and it will be good if I can make up eventually for lost time.

"The club is really buzzing at the moment, in the top four of the Premier League and hopefully going to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Cup and it is an exciting place to be."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill added: "It has obviously been a frustrating time for Steve, who was keen to make an impression with his new club.

"Throughout his career, he has managed to stay injury-free, until now. But he is now available for full training again."