Nicky Shorey believes Aston Villa will see the best of Steve Sidwell next season after his indifferent start at the club.

Shorey knows all about midfielder Sidwell's qualities from their time as team-mates at Reading.

But Sidwell was hit by injuries after making a £5 million move from Chelsea and when he was fit, often had to be content with a place on the bench.

There has been speculation linking Sidwell, who made just 11 league starts for Villa, with a move to Fulham but Shorey has no doubt that he can be a big asset to manager Martin O'Neill.

The left-back said: "I don't think we have seen the best of Steve yet. Last season was a strange one for Siddy. He was out injured for long periods and picked up niggles here and there. I don't think he's ever had that before.

"For as long as I've known him, he's never really been injured, so I think that was something new for Siddy to try to learn from.

"Hopefully he will have a good pre-season and then we'll see the best of him and I think everyone will be impressed with how well he can do."

Shorey added: "Siddy just keeps on going. He'll be fine. There's no worries on that count. He can play in a three or a two. That's what he's done in the past.

"He's just an all round good midfielder and I'm sure he'll show that before too long."

It is understood Villa's promising midfielder Barry Bannan is a target for Wigan with their new boss Roberto Martinez an admirer of the teenager.

The Scotland Under-21 player has 12 months remaining of his current deal. He made his Villa debut in the UEFA Cup tie at Hamburg in December and also had a loan spell at Derby.

It had been reported that Bannan could be included in a deal to sign Wigan's Titus Bramble, but Villa sources insist Bramble is not on O'Neill's radar.

O'Neill is desperate to bring in a new central defender following the retirement of skipper Martin Laursen.

But it is understood there are no imminent signings about to happen at Villa.