Ciaran Clarke signs new deal at Villa Park

The 25-year-old, who has spent all of his career at Villa Park having graduated from the club’s academy in 2008, has agreed to stay put with Tim Sherwood’s side despite being linked with a move away as West Brom have been connected with a swoop.

Summer signing Micah Richards will be given the captain’s armband on the field, while attacker Gabriel Agbonlahor will be club captain. We just need to make sure we perform now when it starts for real. He’s vocal and leads by example. He also adds how pleased he’s been with Richards in pre-season saying he’s fitness is increasing and also that he isn’t afraid to express an opinion. He’s got fitter in every game and he looks the part. This ties in with interviews both Sherwood last season and Ray Wilkins this year have said about bringing in a winning mentality and breaking old losing habits.

“He’s going to take time to settle like everyone else but he’s going to be at a good place”.

Sherwood believes Agbonlahor has an important role to play over the coming months. He knows this club inside out. He will help the young foreign boys who have come over to a different country and to a new club to settle in.’.

While it is exciting for the fans with so many new signings arriving, it will take all of their manager’s efforts to ensure they’re not left trailing behind once the season is properly underway.