New Villa deal for Barry Bannan
Barry Bannan has toasted his new Villa contract as the "icing on the cake" to a perfect few weeks.
Barry Bannan has toasted his new Villa contract as the "icing on the cake" to a perfect few weeks.
The 20-year-old has signed a new three-and-a-half year contract to keep him at the club until 2014 after recently forcing his way into manager Gerard Houllier's first-team plans.
Bannan also made his debut for Scotland in midweek against the Faroe Islands and joins fellow academy stars Marc Albrighton and Ciaran Clark in committing his long-term future.
He said: "Everything this season has been unbelievable. I could never have imagined it going so well for me.
"To get the deal is icing on the cake really. I knew I was capable of playing the way I have been playing and it was just about getting the chance.
"When Kevin MacDonald (caretaker manager) came in and took over I was in and around things, playing in Europe, and that was a big boost for me. From there, I have really kicked on.
"The new gaffer 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 had chance to think about it. It's just been an unbelievable start.
"To be here and handed a new contract is unbelievable. It's a pleasure to be in and around a club like this.
"I'd sign my life away probably here the way it's going at the moment. It's fantastic."
Bannan, who starred for Aston Villa against Manchester United last weekend, is delighted to have followed the lead of Albrighton and Clark and added: "We've all grown up together and we're best of mates on and off the pitch."
Meanwhile, new signing Robert Pires has been given the green light to make his debut at Blackburn tomorrow after receiving international clearance yesterday.