New Aston Villa signing Steve Sidwell is likely to miss today's friendly against FC Zurich - due to a missing passport.

The former Chelsea midfielder was trying retrieve his passport from the Chinese Embassy so that he could make the trip to Switzerland.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "His passport was at the Embassy because Chelsea are heading out to China on a pre-season tour."

Sidwell insists he does not see himself as a replacement for want-away Gareth Barry.

He said: "The first contact was made before the whole Gareth Barry thing came out.

"I'd like to be judged on what I do for Aston Villa. My aim is to improve the side - not to replace Gareth Barry or anyone else."