Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has described Ciaran Clark's decision to sign a new deal as "great news" for the club.

The defender, 25, penned a five-year contract extension at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Clark has played nearly 125 times for the Villans since graduating from their youth academy in 2008.

"It's great news," Sherwood told Villa's official website. "Ciaran wears his heart on his sleeve. He was unfortunate with injuries last season but he looks sharp now and we want to keep him fit.

"You know what you're going to get from Ciaran - he gives everything for the cause and that's all you can ask for as a manager. We're pleased to have him here for a longer time."

Clark has been capped 11 times by the Republic of Ireland.