Craig Gardner has backed Aston Villa's move for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell.

He said: "It speaks for itself, doesn't it? It's a great signing and I can't wait for him to get down here.

"He's got everything: he can score goals. He got two against Villa two seasons ago.

"He has got a good engine, he can tackle, he can pass.

"He is just a typical box to box midfielder, a top class player.

"If new players come in it makes me work harder in training and out there on the pitch. That's what every footballer's like. We are competitive."