Aston Villa's Republic of Ireland centre back Ciaran Clark has signed an extensive deal with the club keeping him at Villa Park for five more years. 

Birmingham neighbours West Brom had been sniffing around, but Sherwood, wary of their interest, was determined to hold on to his man. 

Clark made sure to express his delight upon signing the deal. 

"I'm absolutely thrilled to sign a new contract. I've been at Aston Villa since I was a kid and I want to continue to play for this fantastic football club.

"I'm delighted to be going into the opening game on Saturday knowing my long term future has been sorted."

Clark missed last season's FA Cup Final through injury, though, given what transpired that day, that's possibly more of a boast than a regret at this point.