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Aston Villa are giving defender Ciaran Clark a new contract as the likelihood grows Ron Vlaar will quit.

Dutch international stopper Vlaar, 30, is out of contract at Villa Park and has still not signed the new deal tabled by the club.

Villa boss Tim Sherwood has since signed Micah Richards on a free to play centre-back.

And now the club are tying down left-footed Republic of Ireland defender Clark.

It means Sherwood will have both Richards, Clark plus Jores Okore and Nathan Baker to play in the middle.

(Image: Getty)

Clark, 25, had just 12 months left on his contract and neighbours West Brom enquired about the ace recently.

But Sherwood wants to keep Clark as he was superb for Villa’s new boss before a knee injury in April ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Clark got 10 bookings and a red card last season but Sherwood likes his aggressive, whole-hearted and committed attitude.