Aston Villa are a top four chance this season, insists their former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell.

"Aston Villa is not far off at all," Sidwell told the Mirror.

"We have the hunger and the desire. Attacking-wise, we are up there with Manchester United and Chelsea as a fast-breaking team.

"The manager has spent the most money this summer he has ever done in his career which is going to put pressure on him and pressure on us to deliver. But I think the gap now between the top four and the rest is closing.

"It is only going to be a matter of time before a team does get in there, other than the usual top four. And as long as we keep winning our home games and picking up points away from home then hopefully it can be us."