Mellberg pens new Villa deal

The 26-year-old joined Villa in July 2001 from Racing Santander for £5.6 million.

Mellberg has established himself as a firm fans' favourite and is now regarded as one of the top defenders in The Premiership.

The Scandinavian ace, who has played over 100 games for Villa, will now stay with the club until June 2008.

"I'm very pleased to have signed this deal. I'm very happy with everyone at the club and the fans have been great to me," Mellberg told Villa's official website. 

"It is good to sign this deal before the summer. Now I know I have a long-term future at Villa and I can go away with Sweden knowing that my future is here and looking forward to next season.

"I definitely feel Aston Villa are moving in the right direction, especially over the last few months. We have a lot of good players and a lot of young players who are doing really well.

"I think the younger players have a big future at Villa and hopefully we can build on this season and just get better and better. I'm very happy to be part of that.

"I think Villa are better prepared now to fulfil my ambitions than when I first arrived. It was difficult when I first came here to have any expectations. I knew Villa were a big club, but I didn't know any of the players or the people at the club.

"So I just focussed on getting myself going when I came here. But now I know the club much better and all the players and I see a big future for Aston Villa.‚Ç¥

Villa are hoping Mellberg's signing of a new deal will be the first of a number of contract announcements they will make in the next few weeks.

Juan Pablo Angel, Gareth Barry, Ulises de la Cruz and Thomas Hitzlsperger are all believed to be in advanced talks with the club.