Sutton signs for Villa

Aston Villa have signed former Birmingham striker Chris Sutton on a free transfer.

Aston Villa have signed former Birmingham City striker Chris Sutton on a free transfer.

Sutton has secured a deal until the end of the season at Villa Park after being available since his release by Blues in the summer.

Villa boss O'Neill has brought in the 33-year-old as he frets over a shoulder injury to young forward Luke Moore.

With Moore set to miss the bulk of the campaign with the shoulder complaint, Sutton will add depth to the Villa squad.

It is the second time O'Neill has signed Sutton as he paid Chelsea £6 million in 2000 to take the target man to Celtic.

He will now hope the ex-Blackburn Rovers hot shot can replicate the form he showed at Celtic, where he averaged roughly a goal every other game.

Sutton only joined Birmingham in January, with his solitary goal for the club ironically coming against Villa back in April.