Both Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan tried to sign Steve Sidwell ... but he ended up at Villa Park (via Stamford Bridge) ... and he could face the Toon on Monday.

Villa have a doubt over midfielder Stiliyan Petrov for Monday night's trip to Gallowgate.

The Bulgaria international picked up a hamstring injury during Wednesday's 3-2 win against Blackburn and will be given a late fitness test with Steve Sidwell on stand-by to replace him.

Sidwell has yet to start a Premier League game for Villa having been troubled by injury since his £5million summer switch from Chelsea.

Manager Martin O'Neill must also decide whether to recall striker John Carew to the starting line-up.

The Norway international has started the last two games on the bench after missing the UEFA Cup tie against Ajax through illness.

ASTON VILLA (from): Friedel, L Young, Laursen, Knight, Davies, Cuellar, Shorey, Milner, Routledge, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Sidwell, Barry, A Young, Carew, Agbonlahor, Harewood, Gardner, Salifou, Osbourne, Guzan.