Sidwell, signed from Chelsea for £5.5million during the summer, has been sidelined since the end of July with a calf injury, but hopes to return to action to face Spurs on 15th September.

His only appearances for Villa were in the two Intertoto Cup encounters with Odense but he is keen to make up for lost time after playing 90 minutes for the reserves against Stoke on Monday.

Sidwell told the club's oficial website: "I feel good. My calf was fine throughout the reserve game. I've not had a problem with it. The game was very helpful because it upped my fitness levels.

big squad

"I'll be available for the Tottenham match if I can get through another reserve game on Monday. I can't see that being a problem.

"That week - where we play Spurs, Litex Lovech in the UEFA Cup and West Brom - is evidence of why we need a big squad. They are three massive games and I'm sure the manager will want to use everyone in his group."

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