James signs new Villa deal

David James ended weeks of uncertainty over his future yesterday by signing a new contract with Aston Villa.

The England goalkeeper gave under-fire manager John Gregory a massive boost by accepting improved terms and putting his name to a one-year extension that will keep him atVilla Park until 2004.

The breakthrough in negotiations came after an impressive performance from James in front of England's new manager Sven Goran Eriksson at OldTrafford on Saturday and gives him parity with the club's top earners on around £25,000 a week.

After expressing misgivings over the club's perceived lack of ambition and being placed on the transfer list six weeks ago, James' future at Villa appeared in the balance. Though perturbed by the timing of Gregory's announcement that he had been made available, on the eve of a crucial home match, James made it clear he wanted to resolve the issue and stay at Villa Park.

While discussions over personal terms continued, his doubts over Villa's ambition eased with the arrival of £9.5million Colombia striker Juan Pablo Angel. His purchase helped convince James that he should devote his best years to Villa.

After his assured performance in England's last match, against Italy in Turin, and with Eriksson ready to retain him as first choice, James' decision to end the wrangle could not be better timed.