Chris Herd agrees new Aston Villa deal

Chris Herd has agreed a new three-and-a-half-year deal with Aston Villa.

The fresh terms will keep the Australian midfielder at Villa Park until 2015.

"He's a whole-hearted boy. He has fantastic application. He trains like a beast every day and is a good role model to any player in terms of his attitude," said manager Alex McLeish.

"He is improving all the time, and that's partly because he's getting first team football."

The 22-year-old made his debut for the Midlands club against Manchester United last season.