England and Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand has joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season as he looks for more first-team action.
The Chelsea left-back has found opportunities limited at Stamford Bridge, where he has to compete with fellow Three Lion Ashley Cole and Cesar Azpilicueta for a spot in the team.
And the 24-year-old Londoner, who started for Chelsea in the Champions League Final of 2012, will now be hoping to impress under Paul Lambert for the rest of this campaign with Blues boss Jose Mourinho also keen to see him in more regular action.
Watch highlights from Bertrand's England debut against Italy.
"We decided the best thing for Ryan was to go on loan until the end of the season because he's a good player, he's our player and he needs to play," explained Mourinho.
"My options at left-back are Cole and Azpilicueta so for Ryan we felt, and he agrees totally, that he needs to play.
"He's young and English and needs to play, so he's going to Aston Villa until the end of the season."
Bertrand is no stranger to loan spells, having spent time with AFC Bournemouth, Oldham Athletic, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest and Reading in the past.
And he’s also been an England regular too, winning caps at U17, U18, U19, U20 and Under-21 level as well as representing Team GB in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
He made his senior debut for England against Italy in August 2012, but hasn’t featured for the Three Lions since the game with Ukraine at Wembley in September 2012.
England are back in action for the first time in 2014 on Wednesday 5 March when they play Denmark at Wembley. Tickets for the game are on sale now, so click here for more details on how to make sure you're there.
