Villa complete deal to sign Micah Richards

The 26-year-old defender became the claret and blues first signing of the summer last night, signing a four-year deal at Villa Park.

Boss Sherwood believes the club have landed a player who is coming into his "peak years."

Richards, who was out of contract at Manchester City, has already won the Premier League and FA Cup, played in the Champions League and represented England at senior level.

Despite this impressive football CV, Sherwood thinks there's still plenty for Richards to achieve as he welcomed him to the claret and blues and feels his "winning mentality" will be invaluable at Bodymoor Heath.

"I'm really pleased to get Micah on board and I'm sure he will prove to be an excellent signing for the football club," said Sherwood.

"Micah is a winner. He helped Manchester City win their first Premier League title in 44 years, has won the FA Cup and has played in the Champions League.

"So we are signing a player who is used to winning football matches. I want players with that winning mentality here.

"And we are also signing a player at his peak. At 26, we are getting him when he should be producing the best football of his career."