Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell played the full 90 minutes for the reserves in a 4-0 home success over Blackpool on Monday. He has started on the comeback trail after missing the opening five games of the campaign.
He looked set to join Fulham before Roy Hodgson quit for Liverpool and was also linked with a move to West Brom before the transfer window closed last week.
Sidwell cost Villa £5million when moving from Stamford Bridge two years ago but has struggled to command a regular first team place.
Sidwell said: "It has been a frustrating few weeks. The first game back is the hardest but games are what you need.
"I am the world's worst at watching games. You just want to be out there.
"There have been a few games that I have missed - a few highs and a few lows - but I just want to get back out there."
