I'd be very happy with both of these signings, a 'sign' of things to come I hope.

We are also linked to Thiery Henry, now that would be a catch.

I think if we are honest that Sidwell is a good player ... because he hasn't managed to dislodge the likes of Ballack, Lampard and Essien from one of the worlds finest teams doesn't matter to me.

Working under MON i can see him becoming a very good player.

Hoyte, i've never been sure about ... always looks dodgy to me, even in a good Arsenal team. So he wouldn't be my prefered 1st choice right back, but maybe in as an under study to Miguel or Chimbonda??

Justin Hoyte...dear oh dear oh dear, is this the best we can get..another Zat Knight..He was dreadful at Sunderland on loan for a season ,Come on MON you can get better than this.id prefer Steve finnan or Chimbonda personally. On Steve Sidwell, good player at Reading, this is more like think he could fit in very well at Villa. Lets get the big bucks out and make a 20mill bid for bentley, YOUNG AND BENTLEY on the wings....yes please

I just hope that these two players haven't been out of regular football for too long. If we want to compete for similar positions as this year or even improve then i think we need to hit the ground running from day one.

I'm not doubting that these are two excellent players, i just hope they don't need a few months to settle in.

Sidwell is a very good buy. Hoyte is an OK buy. We still need (with all due respect to Big Jon) a proven goal scorer with european experience and two central defenders.

And thats just for the first team!

There has been whispers that Barry has handed in a request for transfer on Friday, that is why Sidwell has been targeted immediately. I hope Sidwell is not MONs idea of a replacement. We need a higher calibre midfielder than that

Hmmm Not sure about hoyte, he was taken to pieces by nani at old trafford, still that was a tough day all round for Arsenal.

Sidwell i feel has been coming for a while, good signing, could be an excellent player, hopefully with MON's help anyway. I just hope this doesn't signal the exit of Barry.

I would love to see Sidwell at Villa Park, I think he would fit in with Reo Coker and Barry very well and would also act as cover for Barry, I would also like to see Hunt come in to, Hunt and Sidwell reunited and at Villa park would amazing. I am not to sure about Hoyte as the last I heard Gardner had taken his place at right back in the england u-21's (Iam Irish so dont really keep up to date with england u-21's so I might be miss informed). I would also like to see Milner back at Villa, him down the right Young down the left would be a nightmare for any team to handle. I think we need a goalkeeper most I would love to see the Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa or maybe Igor Akinfeev at Villa Park, they would cost a lot but look at how important a good keeper is and how many points Carson cost us this season.

Both mediocre players, but thats all i expect unfortunately so they'll have to do, I saw the Henry link yesterday, but that cant happen right?? :)

There ok signings and good for the squad if they signed, because if we do get into the UEFA Cup they could do a job when having to rest players. Also we have been linked to Thiery Henry too, that could happen becuase he wont get into the top 4 now becuase he is too old so why not 15 million could get him its worth a try.

Hoyte is awfull, every time i've seen him play for Arsenal he's been their weakest link !
Sidwell on the other hand is quality player with so much potential. But if it really is a done deal then Barry must be on his way ! :'(

Henry? Come On. He's past it and would be a waste of money. He's had a horid time at Barca and i think he's going downhill fast. He might produce the goods for a season or two but thats it. 15 Million should be spent on the likes of Bently or Diego - both very good future prospects!!!!!!!!!!!!

i thing bring milner back and put him on the right wing and if barry goes we should get hitzlesperger and sidell.

Why do we want Steve Sidwell? Where will he play? Barry's place one he leaves for Liverpool?

I don't like this.

Not quite a proven goalscorer, but McFadden is surely moving from Bluenoses after relegation -- he'd be a good addition.

Sidwell has more ability than Barry - better passer, better thru ball player. However he lacks the 10 year know-how of PL football that Barry has. Dont think he'll have the same controlled aggression that Barry has on the ball but that'll come with more games. Barry 2-3 years ago vs Sidwell 1-2 years ago and Sidwell wins so hopefully MON gets the best out of him.

Take away Barry's pens and there aint that much difference. The way you lot talk about Barry you'd think he was Paul Scholes/Steve Gerrard/Lampard rolled into one. Take away his pens and he aint that prolific. He stands out in an average side just like Sidwell did at Reading.

Likewise, I hope this doesn't signal the imminent departure of Barry. After all of Rafa's tampering, I'd hate to see Barry go just on principle. But, I also read that an £18m fee for Barry was a "stumbling block." Who knows.

Can't say I know much about Sidwell...But I'd still prefer Diego. Hoyte? Again, I think I'd prefer one of the Portuguese we keep hearing about. But there must be some upside to him if Wenger and MON both see something.

think they'd both be good additions to the squad but would want world class players and these 2 as cover. think we need at least 3 defenders desperately

Sidwell would replace Petrov in the starting 11, with our current formation ... Not Barry!

If it was a done deal it would be on the website

Anyways i just hope if martin dose sign him that he can get his lazy ass to play football because lets face it he is way more than happy to sit around at chelsea and earn his money not as if he is hungry for football

As for hoyte iv not really seen him enough to comment on him as i dont go and watch arsenal reserves which is the only way u can see him so how can u rate a player u hardly see lads unless of course u go to the arsenal reserve games

so have we got em or not ;)

good-simple as

The Henry rumour is a non starter. He is being played on the wing at Barcelona which is why he wants to leave, however he has said on a number of occassions that he would only return to Arsenal, however I think any London club because his family is based in London even though he has split with his partner.

Hoyte is actually a very good signing if we get him. It is a real case of someone with potential and if he gets his chance I think he would grasp it and I would also say Sidwell is exactly the sort of signing we need.

Now then am I the only person who would jump at the chance to sign Carson??? I am sorry but I don't think he deserves all the crap he has been getting and I think Carson should be snapped up. He will only get better and I know I will be contraversial here but I would probably offer 8.5 for him.

Now then why the hell are we going for Doyle when Kitson would be a far better signing if we were going to go for someone and I also have to say why the hell aren't we going for Shorey? He absolutely fits the Villa style of player.

With no disrespect to us, I don't think we have a chance with Bentley. I think he would certainly push us up to the next level and Barry would definately stay if we managed to get him but I think most Blackburn fans would be upset if he joined us from them.

Other transer targets? Hmm well Crouch is not simply not worth the money and we shouldn't go for him, however would you want someone like Pennant at the club? He could do a job for us, but I am 50/50 on that one.

I also think somone like Nolan could do a job for us as well. I guess I am trying to look at realistic signings for us and not getting carried away.

I would say that I think Barry has done us a real favour as he has forced MON to move quickly. However the other player we really should go back for is Milner. I honestly think he would be fantastic. Its just a case of would Newcastle sell? Apparently Boro are in for him so who knows?

Anyway UTV and I am really encouraged to see we are moving early for a chance!!

Mobious Henry also said he would never ever play for another london club so what chance do chelsea and spurs have of getting him,we stand more of a chance than them

hmmm, not sure about the both of them, if they are the players to take us forward.

If hoyte is the best we can do then i will understand if barry leaves.What kind of message does that send to rivals? Buying an Arsenal Reserve, who only plays the four games a season because he's English?Arsenal Fans would be happy to see the back of him-He's rubbish. We are Aston Villa F.C not Middlesborough.
Who cares if he's English?? That aint gonna win you the League!

I dont mind Sidwell,as a bit-part player but i want to see villa buy a top european player. Look a spurs. they've just bought Modric for 16 million. thats how determined they are. Sidwell doesn't cut if for me. >:(

I think we need to be realistic who we can buy this season. The opportunity to buy proven world class players are still remote as there are better teams offering better packages than AV. However, like Blackburn and Tottenham, we might be able to unearth a gem aka SANTA CRUZ, BERBATOV.
SIDWELL at a decent price is a good buy. There is no doubting his ability. I remember when Reading came to us last season and he literally ran the midfield. He is an intelligent player who is probably in need of a confidence boost having been relegated to the bench for the majority of the season. Moving to VP would be a fresh challenge working alongside enthusiastic England starlets under the supervision of a mercurial manager.
Would like to see Darren BENT come to Villa, although I think he's settled at Spurs now. I also think that the majority of players staying at Villa will continue to improve. SALIFOU to be player of the year!