Striker Sutton joins Aston Villa

Sutton has also played at Norwich, Blackburn, Chelsea, Celtic and Birmingham

Chris Sutton has signed for Aston Villa until the end of the season.

The 33-year-old, who became a free agent after Birmingham released him at the end of last season, becomes Martin O'Neill's third Villa signing.

Stilian Petrov and Didier Agathe, who like Sutton played for Celtic under O'Neill, are the other two captures.

Sutton told Villa's official website: "Hopefully I can fit in fairly well and knowing Stilian Petrov and Didier Agathe will obviously help."

The striker added: "I don't feel I've got a point to prove. I just want to do well.

"First and foremost I want to get fully fit and get into contention. I'll hopefully do that sooner rather than later and the aim is to soon be pushing for a starting place.

"Obviously I want to be fit as soon as I can. I had an operation a while back and I'm still recovering from that.

It's my own view that he didn't do himself justice at Birmingham City because of injury Martin O'Neill

"I'm really looking forward to returning to action and the sooner I can get back to full fitness."

Manager O'Neill needed a striker after a shoulder injury to Luke Moore that may keep the youngster out for the rest of the season.

"I'm really pleased that Chris has come to join us. I obviously know him from Celtic and know what he's capable of," O'Neill told the Villa website.

"It's my own view that he didn't do himself justice at Birmingham City because of injury and it was a situation that forced him into seriously thinking about his playing future.

"But he decided to persevere and he's worked very hard to get himself back to full fitness before committing himself to a new club.

"He's come through a rigorous medical completely unscathed and a fit Chris Sutton will definitely add strength."