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Aston Villa Sign Steve Sidwell

Martin O’Neil has made his first signing of the summer with the transfer of Steve Sidwell from Chelsea. Sidwell signed for Chelsea from Reading last summer but has rarely featured for the Blues so he will be delighted with his move to Villa and the opportunity to play more regular first time football.

With Gareth Barry looking set for Liverpool, Sidwell is expected to be his replacement. It has been that long since we have all seen Sidwell in action and have kind of forgotten how good he is. In Readings memorable first season in the Premier League he was inspirational and Martin O’Neil will be hoping he can do the same for his side.

Deco Signs For Cheslea

Chelsea have completed the signing of Portuguese Midfielder Deco from Barcelona. The fee for the now former Barcelona play-maker is thought to be around £8 Million.

This makes Deco, Luis Felipe Scolari’s first signing as Chelsea boss and add’s to the new Portuguese contingent that is arriving at Stamford Bridge. Technically the capture of Deco makes it Chelsea’s third Portuguese signing of the Summer (including big Phil Scolari and Jose Bosingwa).

Deco joined Barcelona in 2004 after a spell at FC Porto where he won domestic league titles, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League. With Barcelona he claimed 2 domestic league titles and another Champions League title in 2006 when the Catalan giants defeated Arsenal. No matter where he has been Deco has won trophy’s and Chelsea fans will be hoping his record continues at the Blues.

Deco may now be 30 years old and it would be fair to say that he is on the back 9 of his football career but there is no doubt that he is still one of the World’s best in the middle of the park and will be a great addition to the Chelsea squad, especially as Frank Lampard looks set for Inter Milan.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has been sacked as manager of Chelsea after spending just 8 months in charge of the London Club.

Avram Grant’s future as Chelsea manager was doubtful after finishing runners-up to Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League and also finishing as runners-up to their Premier League rivals in the UEFA Champions League but to be honest i really thought the Chelsea board would have saw the positives over the negatives since Avram Grant took charge and kept him on as manager at least for next season. He might not be the biggest name in the football world but over the course of the last 8 months he has definitely proved he has what it takes to do well at a big club. The appearance in the Champions League final alone proves this and don’t forget their Carling Cup final appearance and how far behind in the league they were at one point yet under Avram Grant, Chelsea managed to claw their way back into the title race and give football fans all over Britain and indeed the world, an exciting and dramatic final day showdown.

OK Chelsea have finished the season trophy-less, i understand the disappointment, but the good outweighed the bad in my opinion and i felt the rapport between Avram Grant and the players was finally starting to build after the disappointing departure of “The Special One”. Now the Chelsea squad have to welcome yet another manager to the club and i wonder how long it will take for them to take a liking to him this time? One thing is for sure, the Chelsea board now MUST deliver a big name for both the fans and the players and make sure it is a man they can stick with for the foreseeable future.

The picture taken of Avram Grant after Chelsea’s humiliating FA Cup defeat to Barnsley makes a fitting way to say bye bye to the Israeli coach, that look says it all.

This Saturday there are 7 Premiership fixtures taking place with the most attractive looking fixture being Manchester United Vs Aston Villa. Although Fergusons men will be favourites for ther match they will have a tough task against a dangerous, quick, counter attacking Villa side. Villa will be looking to claw back the gap between themselves and Everton for that Uefa spot but with the title race reaching a climax every game from now on in is a must win and Fergie will make sure his players know it.

The other key match is Arsenal Vs Bolton Wanderers. Arsene Wenger will be dreading the trip up north to the Reekbok as Bolton have been somewhat of a bogey team for Arsenal in recent years and with a bad run in the league recently away at a Bolton side fighting to beat the drop is not what they need. Since the loss of Sam Allardyce however, the Bolton resilience has deteriated slightly and with Nicolas Anelka moving down south to Chelsea, goals are a struggle for Gary Megson’s side and they will find it difficult.

The rest of Saturday’s fixtures are:

Birmingham Vs Manchester City, 15:00
Derby Vs Fulham, 15:00
Portsmouth Vs Wigan, 15:00
Reading Vs Blackburn, 15:00
Sunderland Vs West Ham, 15:00

Check Back For The Highlights To Follow Later