Martin Laursen has agreed a two and a half year deal at Villa.

Laursen will put pen to paper on the deal to June 2010 tomorrow after agreeing terms to extend his three-year stay.

The 30-year-old has been a rock in defence and has scored six goals this season, and the deal completes a fairytale journey for a player whose career was threatened by a serious knee injury which kept him out for 13 months.

Manager Martin O’Neill said: “We have had excellent discussions and everyone at Aston Villa is delighted he is staying on.

“He has been playing some wonderful football for us this season and deserves everything he gets.

“I know the supporters will be as delighted as I am and I think it is also what Martin wanted.

“His determination to overcome serious injury is an object lesson to anybody and he has shown tremendous courage. The results are there for all to see.

“I am absolutely delighted.”

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