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Weimann seals new Villa deal

Andreas Weimann featured in 38 games for Aston Villa last season © PA Photos

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Andreas Weimann has committed his long-term future to Aston Villa as repayment to Paul Lambert for the faith the manager placed in him last season.

Weimann, 21, has ended speculation regarding a possible move away from Villa Park by signing a three-year deal with the club.

The Austrian was handed his breakthrough season by Lambert last term, featuring in 38 games, six years after he arrived at the Villa Academy.

The trust Lambert has shown in the striker and the exciting potential of the young side the Scot is building at the club were the key factors in Weimann agreeing to remain long-term.

"I feel like I owe the manager and the club because the manager backed me last season after he came in and I have always felt comfortable and really supported at the club," Weimann said. "It's great to be a part of an exciting future at Villa. I'm sure the manager will bring in more new faces to help us and this will make us stronger.

"We stuck together last season and having so many young players helped because we grew together as a team and improved as well as players. That's why I want to continue to do my best for the club. It was exciting to be part of the team's development because the potential within this young, exciting team is really strong.

"The last several months of the season we played really well and got better and better as season went on. Hopefully, we can continue on like we finished and that will be the challenge. Like the other young players in the team, I want to keep improving as a player and keep pushing Villa as high as we can in the Premier League.

"I'm really happy that I've signed. I love the club and it's been brilliant for me, for I have a feeling of being at home here at Aston Villa."

Lambert made it clear that persuading Weimann to stay was one of his main priorities this summer and, after several months of negotiations, he is delighted to have retained the services of the striker.

"Andi has shown a great work ethic and that's the big thing about him along with his quality," Lambert said. "He has drive and a hunger to succeed and that's vital. That's what we're looking for here at Villa.

"He got a sustained run at it last season and he showed the quality that marks him out as a natural finisher. He definitely knows where the goal is and his performances on that right side, coming off the lines, have been really great.

"Whether Andi Weimann is on X amount of money or not, you'll always get the same player but we're delighted obviously that we've agreed this new deal."

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