Aston Villa assistant manager Ray Wilkins has insisted that Micah Richards is a good signing for the club.

The 27-year-old defender left boyhood club Manchester City on a free transfer at the end of the last campaign, and he is keen to re-establish himself in the Premier League after a year on loan at Fiorentina.

Wilkins is quoted as saying by The Mirror: "It is a good bit of business getting Micah. He is a good age and is as strong as an ox. He is looking very sharp again and I've been very impressed with him.

"I think he does have something prove and has had a lot of doubters in his career. Having seen him in pre-season I think he will prove a number of people wrong."

Richards is one of six Villa signings so far this summer.