Villa youngster Ciaran Clark has put pen to paper on a new two-and-half year contract that will keep him at the club until 2012.
Manager Martin O'Neill was keen to tie the 20 year-old down after a succession of superb reserve team performances saw his stock rise.
Clark made his Premier League debut against Fulham in August and he displayed remarkable composure to shut out the Cottagers on that occasion.
Fans of the Claret and Blue will hope there is more to come from the England youth star and they should see more of him as the season progresses.