Aston Villa midfielder Joe Cole made a surprise move to third tier Coventry on a short-term loan on Friday.

Cole opted to join Tony Mowbray's League One promotion contenders on a deal that will run until November 22 after falling out of favour at Villa.

The 33-year-old former England international, who joined Villa on a free transfer in June 2014, has made only a handful of appearances for the Premier League club.

Despite the disappointing form of Tim Sherwood's team this term, his only appearance to date came in the League Cup.

"I'm delighted to welcome such a high-calibre player to the club," Mowbray told Coventry's website.

"Joe has a great pedigree, both on the domestic and international stage, and I'm sure he'll have a fantastic impact during his time at the club.

"I've met with Joe and he has watched us play several times this season. He likes the way we play the game and because of that, he has shown a real enthusiasm to come and play for the club."

Cole was regarded as one of the best young English players of his generation when he emerged from the West Ham youth academy.

But, although he gave glimpses of his vast talent, he never quite lived up to that early billing during spells with West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and a loan stay at French club Lille.

Capped 56 time for England, Cole's best moments came at Chelsea, where he helped win the Premier League in 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2009-10.

Coventry are currently fifth in League One and Cole will link up with his new club on Monday ahead of a potential debut at Rochdale on October 20.