Knight's Villa career got off to a controversial start as he was arrested during a drugs raid just hours before his first press conference.

Knight was later released on police bail.

West Midlands Police said officers executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs and Firearms Act yesterday at an address in Poppy Lane, Erdington.

A force spokesman, who did not name 27-year-old Knight, said: "Two men, aged 26 and 27, were arrested on suspicion of Class A drugs offences.

"The 27-year-old man has since been released on police bail."

Police also confirmed that the 26-year-old man was charged with possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and was due to appear at Sutton Coldfield Magistrates' Court today.

A quantity of controlled drugs was seized during the raid, which is said to have occurred at around 5.30am.

A spokeswoman for Villa acknowledged that Knight had been arrested, but stressed that he had not been charged with any offence.

Villa head of communications Phil Mepham claimed it was a case of Knight being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Mepham said: "Zat was inadvertently caught up in a police inquiry. At no point was Zat ever considered to be a suspect but, because he was caught up in the inquiry, he was as a matter of course detained for questioning.

"His conduct throughout was described by the police as exemplary and he was released without any charges being made and none are expected."

Knight is relishing the challenge of trying to break up the current Aston Villa centre-back pairing of Olof Mellberg and Martin Laursen ahead of Sunday's home Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Knight moved from Fulham in a $8.5million deal and he is determined to show Martin O'Neill he should be in the side after ending an eight-year association with the Cottagers.

Knight said: "The manager has told me right from the beginning that I have the potential to get into the team. He has told me I have to make that shirt mine.

"I am up for the fight. I know it is going to be tough because they are good centre-halves at Aston Villa, but I am looking forward to that challenge.

"I am coming here having played well for Fulham. I think I have made a good start to the season in the games I have played and hopefully that can continue.

"My attitude is that competition is healthy in all walks of life. If there is competition, then you know you have to be on your toes and have to step your game up.

"It is the same for the other centre-halves here as it is for me. But I am looking to get in there. They (Mellberg and Laursen) have got the shirt at the minute.

"When I do get the chance, then I will take it."