Jores Okore signs for Aston Villa

Jores Okore has signed for Lambert's Lions

The 20-year-old defender underwent a medical today and signed a four-year deal.


 "We're a young team and we played some really good football over the second half of last season which is something we want to build on now as players, as a team and as a club," Okore said.

"I know there is great potential in the team. I have watched many of our games because the Premier League is very popular back in Denmark.

"I know also that we have a good coach and this is a really good club. This is the right club for me, I feel it straight away.

"We have a lot to show and we have a long way to go.
"It was really nice to hear some very nice comments from Martin Laursen. It means a lot."

Yea its official i'm now an Aston villa player!! Looking forward to it!! http://t.co/fozcyqGbxD

— Jores Okore (@JoresOkore) June 13, 2013

Thanks for the welcoming villa fans looking forward to play for u guys thanks a lot #avfc

— Jores Okore (@JoresOkore) June 13, 2013

Paul Lambert added "He's only 20 years of age and that's good but he's also an international player at a really young age and he's played Champions League football as well, which is testament to his potential.

"Jores has played in big games but he's a very humble lad and he will be a really good addition to our team and to our squad. I'm pleased that we've signed a player of his stature, for he is someone who can come in and make a huge impact.

"There's a great opportunity for him here and the competition for places is something that's really important. You want to try to have that throughout the team.

Okore v Chelsea from Morten Kaltoft on Vimeo.

Confirmed: Leandro Bacuna signs for Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of  Leandro Bacuna on a three year deal.

The 21-year-old midfielder from FC Groningen was the centre of social media speculation in the last 24 hours.

A friendly match between Groningen and Aston Villa, free to the Dutch team's season ticket holders forms part of the deal and will be played prior to the 2014/15 season.

Bacuna, a 21 year old utility player with well over a 100 senior appearances for FC Groningen to his credit, is an Under 21 international who is yet to make his mark for the senior national team.

"It feels great. It's a new beginning for me and I'm looking forward to being part of this young, hungry team we have at Villa," Bacuna said.

"Leandro's energy and versatility will be really good for us," said Paul Lambert.

"He's a good player, he has bags of energy and he will make an impact.

"He's another player we believe will do well for us. He has played in big games and he has lots of experience for a player so young."

Daniel Johnson signs new deal

Under 21s starlet Daniel Johnson has committed himself to Aston Villa for two more seasons.

Johnson has impressed at Reserve and then Under 21 level and had a spell out on loan at Yeovil last term as he tries to press for a place in the first team squad. While he was too old to compete in this year's NextGen triumph, he was a key figure in that tournament the season before, netting three goals and captaining Villa as they reached the quarter finals

Midfielder Johnson said: "I'm really happy to have signed the new contract. These are exciting times at the Club at the moment, you can see where the manager wants to go with it and what he's trying to do and it's really good.

An exciting prospect, he plays some great stuff, linking up well with the likes of Samir Carruthers and Jack Grealish.

New kit: First pics...

New sponsor confirmed as Dafabet

Aston Villa has named Dafabet as Official Main Club Sponsor in a two-year deal.

The deal means that the Dafabet logo will appear on Villa shirts.

"We're pleased to announce our partnership with Dafabet," said Villa Chief Executive Paul Faulkner.

"There is a real sense of excitement, anticipation and optimism as we look forward to the new season, building on the solid foundations we have in place.

"This will be a good and positive partnership for the Club and we are looking forward to working together with Dafabet as we continue to build and move the Club forward.

"Crucially for us, during negotiations Dafabet displayed a strong willingness to work with us in our continued support for Acorns and we look forward to progressing some ideas around that in the near future."

Dimitris Karatzas, Managing Director of Online Betting and Gaming at AsianBGE, said: "We are delighted to see Dafabet on the front of such a well-recognised shirt and to be associated with a club respected throughout the footballing world. I am sure all the fans will agree the kit looks great.

Acorns Chief Executive David Strudley said: "The ongoing support shown by the Club and fans for Acorns is immeasurable and clearly demonstrated by their efforts to include us in their discussions with Dafabet.

"We are extremely grateful to both AVFC and Dafabet in what is a crucial year as we celebrate 25 years of caring and look to a future where we can help to provide care and support to each of the 2,000 plus life-limited and life-threatened children in the region."

Happy Birthday David Platt and Ronny Johnsen

New deal for Weimann, Benteke in talks...

It's widely reported that Aston Villa have to come an agreement with Andreas Weimann and he is set to scribble his moniker on a new three year deal.

The Austrian front-man enjoyed his breakthrough season last term, quickly establishing partnerships with Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor, forming part of a front line which terrorised Premier League defences.

Andi's existing contract had just a year to run, which meant the only real options were a new deal or to cash in on the player before he became eligible for a free transfer.

With Belgium's summer fixtures now done and dusted, talks on a improved deal for Benteke will recommence, though with plenty of time left on his existing deal, the Belgian is likely to remain at Villa Park even if terms on an upgraded contract can't be struck. Paul Lambert will anxious to convince the player that another season at Villa will be beneficial to his ambition to star in the World Cup in Brazil.

Update: Weimann's signing was confirmed on Twitter by the man himself:

I'm really happy to announce that I have just signed a new 3 year contract at Aston villa ! #utv @avfcofficial twitter.com/andiweimann/st…

— Andreas Weimann (@andiweimann) June 10, 2013

Jojo McGuire Head Shave for Race for Life/Cancer Research

Pop into the Masons Arms Solihull to donate or do it on-line at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/masons-arms-ladies

Tonev signing marks the start of Phase Two of the Lambert revolution...

Aleksandar Tonev, a 23-year-old attacking midfield player has completed a medical and agreed terms today at Bodymoor Heath.

Villa and Polish club Lech Poznan have struck a deal and i's will be dotted and t's crossed next week.

"I am really happy to be part of Aston Villa and I am really proud to be able to pull the shirt on," Tonev said. "Aston Villa is a big club and the manager and club have a belief in young players and in the team ethic. Football is not about the individuals. It's a team sport and all successful teams play well together. That's what you can see at Villa, the team is playing together.

"I am part of the team now and I am hungry for success. I want to show everybody what I can really do. I have played in front of big crowds before but the atmosphere here in England is unique. The crowd is like a 12th player for the team and I am looking forward to playing in front of the fans.

"I can't wait to start and to meet my team-mates and the manager. When I heard about Aston Villa, I thought about playing in the Premier League for such a big club. I wasn't thinking about anything else.

"Stiliyan being here wasn't a massive influence on me coming here. Stiliyan and Dimitar Berbatov have done really well in this league and I hope I can do the same. They are both great Bulgarian players and hopefully I can do the same and make my mark on the Premier League.

"I have been watching Villa and I know there are some very good players here. I am really looking forward to being part of the team."

Stan Petrov added: "I think Villa fans have one exciting player on their hands. I think the Club has been monitoring Aleksandar for a few months, they have watched some games and some DVDs.

"He doesn't have a dominant foot which is really interesting and the main thing about him. He is quick, he is an exciting player and I think Villa fans will see he is a good player. He is the kind of player who can really make an impact in this young, exciting team. We spoke last night and he is really looking forward to it. He knows that it will be a challenge but he is ready for it."

Welcome to the Villa Aleks. 

Great signing!

More bread for Baker as he signs new deal.

Aston Villa defender Nathan Baker has signed a new three-year deal after breaking into the first team under Paul Lambert.

The 22-year-old academy graduate at Villa, made 30 appearances for the first team in what was an eventful and fraught season for the back line.

"I'm really happy to have signed and for my future to be with Villa," said Baker.

"It's an exciting time and, because I've come through the academy as well, it's something that's really special to me, something that hopefully I can use as an inspiration in the future.

"We were probably one of the youngest squads in the Premier League last season and we felt that we got stronger and stronger as the season went on.

"The fans could see the progress we were making and they got behind us really strongly. That was felt very keenly by the players.

"Hopefully, next season we can keep improving and we can be even better. I think things are in place that we can really do that."

Villa manager Paul Lambert says Baker is already an integral part of their squad.

"For any player here at Aston Villa, the goal is always to strive to be the best you can and to keep improving as an individual within the team," Lambert said.

"Nathan has demonstrated courage and real willing and he's contributed to the team and these qualities will underpin his efforts going into the new season."

@bakesy23 congrats geez

— Derrick Williams (@DerickWilliams_) June 6, 2013

In other news, Villa are in the process of snapping up Liam Prynn from Torquay United.

Gulls' head-honcho Andrew Candy told the Herald Express: "As I understand it, the terms have been agreed, and all parties are happy about the situation.

"We are certainly excited - the deal is good news for the club, and for Liam and his family.

"But it's good for our other youth players, who see that things like this can happen to a youngster at Torquay United."

A clue to the signing was on Pryn's twitter page last month:

Thanks for the weekend! #AVFC #astonvilla
— Liam Prynn (@prynner6) May 21, 2013

Happy Birthday Dariusz

Exodus: Five Go Out of Villa

As had been widely reported, Aston Villa has confirmed that Richard Dunne, Eric Lichaj, Andy Marshall, Jean II Makoun and Simon Dawkins are leaving the club.

Dunne, Lichaj and Marshall have reached the end of their contracts and have been released.

The enigma that was Jean II Makoun will sign for Rennes after the Ligue 1 side took up their option.

Scarcely seen wide man Simon Dawkins will be sent back to Spurs as his loan deal comes to an end.

Worryingly,  the club website also reports that right back Alan Hutton will return to Villa after finishing his spell at Real Mallorca. It had been thought that he wanted to stay in Spain.

Meanwhile fans of our Under 21 side will be keen to hear that while the contracts of Graham Burke, Derrick Williams, Michael Drennan, Samir Carruthers and Daniel Johnson are set to expire, all five have been offered extensions.

Happy Birthday Tayls

Brazil v England as it was tweeted...