Ryan Bertrand joins the growing left back collection...

Ryan Bertrand has signed from Chelsea on a loan deal which will keep him at Villa Park until the end of the season and could make his Villa debut as soon as tomorrow as Villa take on high-flying Liverpool at Anfield

England international Bertrand, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, has been out of favour since Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea and will be keen to give his career a boost with a regular starting slot, though he'll have to see off the competing claims of Antonio Luna and the returning Joe Bennett to achieve this aim.

The 24 year old said : “I’ve had to adjust many times in my career having played under several managers, so I know I can settle in here quickly and I’m looking forward to being able to contribute to the team.

“I’m focussed on continuing to progress and helping the team here to do that, too. We have a lot of young, talented players here with some experienced heads as well, they want to express themselves and I hope I can add to that and add my experience in a productive way.

“This is a really traditional English club, a family club as well and you get the feeling that everyone really knows one another, so that side’s not been lost either.

“Knowing some of the lads here, too, such as Fabian Delph, Marc Albrighton and a few others will really help, too, and I couldn’t be more looking forward to playing my part here.

“It's a fantastic opportunity for me.”

Bertrand started the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, which Chelsea won on penalties, and has made 57 appearances for the Stamford Bridge side.

He has had also loan spells at Norwich, Bournemouth, Reading and Forest and played in the London Olympics for Team GB.

Beleaguered Villa boss Paul Lambert squeaked: “Ryan brings a lot of big-game experience, not only in the Premier League but also a Champions League final which Chelsea won, so he’ll be really good for us.

“The way he plays the game and as the humble person he is, too, he’ll fit in here great and it will be good for him also to be playing games. He has real enthusiasm for the game and he’s looking forward to playing here."

Villa also have a left back in Edna Stevens, who is currently a regular starter out on loan
in a struggling Doncaster Rovers team.

In other news,  Mikey Drennan is of to Carlisle United on a youth loan.