New Aston Villa signing Micah Richards has insisted that his 'best is yet to come' as he prepares for the new season with the club.

The 27-year-old former Manchester City man signed a four-year deal with the Villans after his 10-year spell with the Citizens came to an end.

"It is a special feeling. I scored my first goal against the club. I was born in Birmingham as well - on Dudley Road - so it's nice to be back. There are some amazing facilities here - I didn't know they were so good until I came here," Richards told the club's official website.

"I'm looking forward to the hard work and having a good season. I still feel I've got my best years ahead of me and I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully we can do something good this season. The new manager has come in and it is like a new lease of life and when I spoke to him there was only really one place I wanted to come.

"He mentioned what a massive club it was and what he is trying to do here. Since he has come in, the impact he has had has been amazing really. We got to the final of the FA Cup and he also got us out of trouble in the Premier League. Since he has come in the team has been playing well and I'm just glad to be part of it now."

Aston Villa start their season with a trip to Dean Court to face Bournemouth on August 8.