Aston Villa take up contract option on in-form man

Villa have exercised a contract extension in defender Victor Lindelof’s deal.

The in-form centre-back is now tied down at Villa Park until 2028 after Villa took up the option in his terms. His initial contract was set to run until next summer.

Swede Lindelof has emerged as a key man in Unai Emery’s ranks after his free transfer switch from Manchester United in 2025.

He made 28 appearances in all competitions last season - 17 in the Premier League - and was very prominent in the Europa League triumph in Istanbul, with a starring role in the final against Freiburg.

Lindelof, 32, has started all 10 of Villa’s Premier League fixtures so far this season in an increased role in the side following the summer exit of Ezri Konsa to Arsenal.

Lindelof is away on international duty with Sweden, with whom he is captain and has 84 caps, during the next week. Graham Potter’s men are in action against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday and away to Poland next Tuesday.

The former Benfica youngster endured a mixed eight years at Old Trafford prior to moving to the West Midlands. He played 284 games for United in all competitions and won the Carabao Cup in 2023, but at times found himself out of the reckoning.

Lindelof has been hailed by supporters as one of Villa’s finest free transfer signings in several years. The versatile defender has also been tasked to step into a midfield role when required in Emery’s side.