Aston Villa Secure American Defender's Future

Good News! Up and coming defender Eric Lichaj has signed a new 3 year deal with the club.

Lichaj, 21, failed to feature for the USA U-21 squad and the former North Carolina Tar Heels defender is determined to make up for missed opportunities and break into Bob Bradley`s full squad, assuming Bob Bradley doesn`t leave to become Aston Villa!

Eric has impressed during this season`s pre-season games, building on an indifferent spell at right back during last seasons Peace Cup tournament. Had O`Neill been at the club, he`d have been boosted by the fact that Lichaj is equally comfortable at left back!

The American D-man spoke to the official website:

"I`m delighted to be staying at a great club. I now have a better opportunity to get into the first team."

"Hopefully I can help the team to get better than sixth, where they have finished in the past couple of years. But we'll just have to wait and see.

"Hopefully when I start playing here I can get into the USA team. That would be nice."

Lichaj then went on to talk about the differences between the US and English games, and his hope for a long-term future at Villa Park:

"When I first came, I found the pace of the way the English players play was a bit different to in the USA.

But I have adapted to that now and will hopefully forge a career here for as long as possible."

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