Westwood pens new Aston Villa deal

Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood has penned a new four-year contract that will tie him to the club until 2017.

The 23-year-old joined the Premier League outfit from Crewe in August 2012 and went on to make 30 appearances in his debut season in the English top flight.

Westwood’s form over that time has earned him an extended stay at Villa Park, a development that he has described as “fantastic”.

“This time last year I was still on pre-season with Crewe and now I’m signing another contract at Villa, it’s a fantastic feeling for me,” he told the club’s official website.

“I love being here and I’m delighted to be part of a great football club. You look at the players the manager has brought to the club and they’re all young and hungry. I just want to be part of that and hopefully we’re building something special here.

“The fans stood with us last season, Villa Park was rocking and over the second half of the season we were able to make it into something of a fortress.

“The Sunderland game at Villa Park topped it off, an unbelievable night and we’ll look to recreate some of that hopefully again this coming season.”

Westwood is taking part in the club’s pre-season tour of Germany, with Paul Lambert’s men having drawn all three of their games 1-1 thus far.