By TheLongside.co.uk
February 14 2005

Burnley have signed Aston Villa midfielder, Peter Whittingham on loan for an initial one month deal which could be extended at a later date.

The 20-year old has made 58 apperances for Villa over three seasons, 49 of those in the Premier League and made his debut at Newcastle in the 2002/2003 season.

The England U-21 star was voted Villa's young player of the season last year and should be a good addition, being able to play a few positions.

This season his only goal was one of the three against Portsmouth in November not long after he played against the Clarets in our 3-1 win in the Carling Cup.

The Nuneaton born midfielder's last game for Villa was back in late December when he appeared as a substitute in their 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.

The trip to Coventry during the weekend allowed Steve Cotterill to see if a deal was possible and add another Villa loanee to the squad along with Gary Cahill.

Steve told the official website:

"We trained at Aston Villa on Friday and that gave us chance to have a chat with David O'Leary and Roy Aitken about him,"

"David got back to me at 8.30am and gave us the go ahead to take him on loan.

"If he can come in and do the same as Gary Cahill, he'll be an excellent signing."

"Obviously we have a necessity for a midfielder, once James O'Connor went back and Richard Chaplow left, we've been light in that area and it's not everyday you get the chance to sign a quality player like Peter Whittingham."

Peter will be available to play against Crewe and Blackburn Rovers.