Aston Villa extends midfielder Barry Bannan’s contract
Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan has signed a contract extension that will see the player remain at Villa Park until 2014.
The young midfielder was given an opportunity this season under caretaker manager Kevin McDonald and the Scot has impressed the new manager Gerard Houllier.
The 20-year-old had an eventful week as he made his debut for Scotland in their midweek friendly with the Faroe Islands before signing a new contract with Aston Villa.
Speaking to reporters, Bannan said, "Everything this season has been unbelievable [and] to get the deal is icing on the cake really."
Bannan spent last season on loan with Blackpool, but the player has featured regularly for Aston Villa this season. "I could never have imagined this season going so well for me. I knew I was capable of playing the way I have been playing and it was just
about getting the chance,” he said.
Bannan now joins Ciaran Clarke and Mark Albrighton in signing new contracts and Houllier appears to be committed to giving Aston Villa’s young players a chance.
"I have really kicked on. The new gaffer [Gerard Houllier] has come in and really taken to me. I've had chances and I've taken them. It's all come around so quickly, I haven't really had chance to think about it. It's just been an unbelievable start,” said
Bannan
The Scottish midfielder is expected to be named as a substitute for Aston Villa ahead of their Premier League match with Blackburn on Sunday 21 November.
The midfielder will be keen to impress his club and prove that he deserves a new contract.
Bannan will go into the match with a spring in his step as he believes he has joined one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. "I am over the moon to be at the club. It's one of the biggest in the country," he said.
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