Ferdinand and Sidwell and England

Jesus it’s Curtis Davies overload in the news today – here, speaking to the Evening Mail, he believes that Anton Ferdinand and Steve Sidwell will improve their England chances by playing for the Villa.

Ferdinand is believed to be on our wishlist and has been linked a fair few times this summer, and as for Sidwell it’s believed a deal is almost as good as done, we are simply waiting for him to meet with the new Chelsea boss, sort out some compo and make sure he isn’t wanted.

Davies believes both players would flourish at Villa Park and really catch Capello’s eye.

“I know Anton – I played one game with him for the Under-21s and he`s another good, English player.

“I`m sure he`s looking to get England recognition as he`s always been one who has stood out as a young, English defender and I`m sure he wants to take the next step.

“Martin O`Neill seems to be trying to nick all the best English players and he`s (steve Sidwell) another – I think the manager`s trying to go for the first all-English squad in the Premier League!

“Steve would be a good signing if he does come. I`ve been reading while I was away that he wants to talks to Felipe Scolari to see whether there`s any future for him at Chelsea, which is fair enough.

“But he would be a good signing for us and he`s another one of those English players who can push on with us in Europe and hopefully push on into an England squad.”

For those who wondered about the loan, tax deferred transfer of Davies and when, if and how it happened officially – will be pleased to know his permanent move to Villa went through today and he’s officially signed a 4 year contract.

Despite his move only being completed today, Davies is unworried by the thoughts of another centre half coming in.

“It`s known through the squad we need strengthening as we`ve only got 17 fit professionals which makes us one sub short.

“In football you have to overcome any competition to reach the top so when someone does come in, I will happily welcome them and try to displace them when I`m fit.

“If I start worrying about who`s going to fill my position I could feel down.

“If someone comes in, I`m not worried because I have confidence in my ability and I have to try to keep them out.”

Davies also expects to see Martin O’Neill’s wheeling and dealing over the summer to pay off in the next few weeks.

“I think it`s a case of sooner if someone is in danger of getting snapped up. But there`s no rush really.

“In my own case, it wasn`t sorted out until deadline day on August 31. It`s been a long summer with Euro 2008 being on and I`m sure the manager has been looking at a few players out there when he was doing his TV work.

“But it`s more about getting the quality we want rather than rushing in and taking someone because they`re available.

“That`s what this manager does well. He`s very shrewd and spends the club`s money as if it were his own.

“It`s good because you see Chelsea and they have unlimited funds so they spend over the odds on a player.

“I`m sure the manager has a budget but he wants to spend it shrewdly and bring in the top-class players that we can for the money.”