Coppa Win Keeps Juve Treble Alive

Two down, the big one to go.

Juventus are on the verge of a historic treble after collecting the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, with Alessandro Matri ensuring that the entire Bianconeri squad will receive their fair share of the limelight if they do go on to beat Barcelona in the Champions League final.

The 2-1 success over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico was a victory for Massimiliano Allegri’s approach to the task of making Juve competitive on all fronts. Whereas his predecessor Antonio Conte was renowned for sending out his first XI as often as possible regardless of the scenario, Allegri has been more conservative but more trusting of his players.

He has afforded Roberto Pereyra plenty of playing time, has given the likes of Simone Padoin and Stefano Sturaro a fair share of starts. He has had no quarms about resting his main men when the time has been right. On top of that, he has gladly switched formations to suit the demands of the occasion and to benefit those he has inserted into the line-up.

Even ahead of the Coppa Italia final there were questions asked of his decision to start Marco Storari rather than Gianluigi Buffon despite the former Catania and Milan goalkeeper having started every game in the competition this season. Although Storari was beaten in the fourth minute by a scuffed header by Stefan Radu, he led from the back superbly throughout.

Looking at the shape of the Bianconeri backline, you would have been forgiven for thinking Buffon – one of the world’s greatest ever organisers – was the man donning the gloves. And when he was just about beaten soon after extra-time had begun, Storari had covered a Filip Djordjevic effort which hit both posts and cannoned back into play.

Moments later, Matri fired home the decisive goal. It was only his second strike since returning to the club to become the fourth-choice front man following the departure to Toronto of Sebastian Giovinco. This was a game which reminded the rest of Italy that Juventus don’t just have the best team, they have the best squad.

Their reserves have what it takes to contribute in the big games too, with the losses of Claudio Marchisio and Alvaro Morata to suspension having no lasting effect thanks to the significant strength in depth. Much is said of Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez but the first three have missed decent chunks of the 2014-15 campaign to little consequence.

It became a huge talking point across the country when Juve shirked the custom of donning gold stars on their shirts after securing what they consider to be their 30th Scudetto in 2012. With Wednesday’s result, they will now be invited to wear a silver star to represent their record 10 Coppa Italia triumphs.

There will doubtless now be a conversation within the boardroom at Corso Galileo Ferraris to decide on the politics of taking up the invitation, but if there is a hint of silver added to the black and white next season then it will be a reminder of the depth of quality that the current Juventus squad has available.

When they head to Berlin on June 6, the likes of Storari and Matri are sure to be left on the bench at the very least. But they have helped Juve to continue to taste that winning feeling. They are on a seemingly unstoppable roll.

Bring on Barcelona!

Wenger: Arsenal Did Not Look Like Scoring

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has bemoaned his side's lack of cutting edge in front of goal as they again failed to find the net against Sunderland.

The Gunners have drawn a blank in their last three home matches, though the point against the Black Cats all but secured third place for the north London outfit after their draw with Manchester United on Sunday.

"We can say that we dominated possession but we lack a bit of sharpness at the moment in our movement and the way we take our chances," he told reporters at the Emirates Stadium.

"We were a bit jaded tonight. Also we haven’t scored in the last three games at home and that played a big part in our spontaneous finishing.

"You have to expect your opponent to play well. We are in a strong position to finish in the top three, so let's do it.

"We didn’t look like scoring, honestly. Even if we had 20 shots on goal, there was always something missing. We needed something special to score tonight and they defended very well. There was always a body there, particularly [Sebastian] Coates and [John] O’Shea from crosses.

"The point we took at Manchester United on Sunday was vital. If we’d lost that game, we would be in trouble."

Man United Transfer Spotlight: Ajax Goalkeeper To Replace David De Gea?

Manchester United may have to enter the summer transfer market to source a long-term replacement for David de Gea, who is the subject of intense interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old's waves to the Old Trafford crowd following his substitution against Arsenal last weekend has seen speculation go into overdrive and, by Louis van Gaal's own admission, the Spain international faces a difficult decision as to whether he stays put or returns to his homeland during the close season.

However, contingency plans may have already been made, as Ajax shot-stopper Jasper Cillessen – who has previously worked under Van Gaal at international level – has emerged as a potential target.

Name: Jasper Cillessen
Date of birth (Age): 22/04/1989 (26)
Birthplace: Nijmegen, Netherlands
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Ajax

What’s the latest?

Madrid's proposed pursuit of De Gea is still on the cards, despite the news that Iker Casillas will remain at the Bernabeu next season, talkSPORT has been told.

Meanwhile, Ajax are keen to retain the services of Cillessen and director of football Marc Overmars has warned the Red Devils off of the goalkeeper after claiming that he will not be sold, even for a fee as high as €25 million.

However, such a sum would be difficult to reject, while Cillessen may relish an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Edwin van der Sar, at the Theatre of Dreams.

Did you know?

1) The Dutchman began his senior career with N.E.C. before joining Ajax for a reported fee of €3 million.

2) Cillessen only became Ajax's first-choice goalkeeper in September 2013 after dislodging Kenneth Vermeer and kept 14 clean sheets en route to his club's fourth consecutive title.

3) Cillessen was substituted with just seconds to go of the Netherlands' World Cup quarter-final clash against Costa Rica last summer, as Van Gaal preferred to rely on Newcastle United's Tim Krul in a penalty shoot out.

4) No goalkeeper in the top tier of Dutch football kept more clean sheets than Cillessen this season (12). The Netherlands international conceded 26 goals in 32 Eredivisie appearances.

They say:

Ajax may have failed to retain their Eredivisie crown, due to a Memphis Depay-inspired PSV Eindhoven, but Amsterdammers boss Frank de Boer is adamant Cillessen is the only member of his squad that enjoyed an impressive season on an individual note.

“He’s one of the few who has had a very good and consistent season," said De Boer. "He is actually the only one. Least goals conceded means something. Of course he does not do it alone, but it says something about Cillessen. Not only as a goalkeeper, but also as the leader of the rearguard.

“Can he reach the level of world goalkeepers as Edwin van der Sar and Manuel Neuer? I think he can get very close," De Boer declared.

Video evidence:

There's something very De Gea-esque about this reflex save to deny Barcelona's Andres Iniesta from point-blank range.

Cullled from talksport

Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland: Black Cats Secure Premier League Safety With Stubborn Draw

A stubborn Sunderland secured their place in next season’s Premier League as they ground out a goalless draw at Arsenal.

The Black Cats travelled south knowing that a point would move them beyond reach of 18th placed Hull and guarantee their top flight safety.

And Dick Advocaat’s men executed their manager’s tactics perfectly, as a brave defensive display effectively shut out the hosts while they also created a handful of opportunities to snatch a brilliant victory, though Steven Fletcher was guilty of wasting several chances.

The Gunners had their moments too, but were either denied by in-form goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon or a series of desperate last-ditch blocks.

The Emirates was eerily quiet throughout a battling first half, in which Arsenal - who now haven't scored at home in three games - went closest when Olivier Giroud saw a volley tipped behind by Pantilimon.

Giroud looked lively at times for the hosts but at others didn’t seem that bothered to join his team-mates in the box, as several crosses from the flank went begging.

After the break, though, the scrappy encounter transformed into an end-to-end contest, as the highly compacted Sunderland side, who were camped back around their penalty area in large parts of the first half, began to stretch their legs.

The Wearside outfit started the second-half well, though Fletcher should have done better when an Adam Johnson through-ball set him free and the Scottish striker thumped an effort straight at David Ospina.

Patrick van Aanholt was next to go close as the Black Cats carved out two great chances in a matter of minutes, the Dutchman cutting in from the left but going for goal instead of passing to the wide-open Fletcher, and seeing his tame effort saved.

Giroud then hit the bar from a speculative cross before he was again denied by the quick reflexes of Pantilimon, who got managed to flick out a hand to deny the Frenchman’s strong flicked shot from Hector Bellerin’s wicked cross.

Fans were half asleep in the first half but were up on the feet on the hour-mark when both teams went close to an opener within seconds of each other.

On-loan Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates was first the hero for Sunderland with a superb block to prevent Alexis Sanchez from getting a shot away.

The Black Cats then broke forward and Fletcher found himself through on goal, but the Scot again fluffed his lines as his attempted chip over Ospina was deflected wide, and he thumped another great chance high over the crossbar minutes later.

Sunderland were almost punished for their poor finishing when Arsenal put the Black Cats’ box under siege in the closing stages, Pantilimon twice saving from substitute Theo Walcott before Billy Jones was inches away from scoring an unfortunate own goal, when Aaron Ramsey’s shot deflected off the defender’s shoulder and onto the bar.

But Advocaat was soon jumping for joy and then in tears at the final whistle as his side managed to hold on, leaving rivals Newcastle United and Hull City to battle it out for safety on the final day.

A point for Arsenal, meanwhile, seals a top-three spot to finally avoid a pesky Champions League play-off.

Fabregas Three-Match Ban Reduced To one

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has had his three-match ban following his bizarre sending off against West Browmwich Albion reduced to one game, the Premier League champions said on Wednesday.

The Spaniard was shown a red card in the first half of Monday's 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns for unsportsmanlike conduct by referee Mike Jones.

The official was in the process of booking Chelsea striker Diego Costa after he tussled with Gareth McAuley when Fabregas, standing some 20 metres away, chipped the ball towards a crowd of players and it hit West Brom's Chris Brunt on the head, prompting Jones to walk over and brandish a red card.

"The standard sanction would have been a three-match suspension," Chelsea said in a statement on their website.

"However, following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing earlier today, the club's claim that a three-match suspension is excessive was successful.

"Fabregas will therefore now only miss our final game of the season against Sunderland on Sunday and will be available for selection from the start of the 2015/16 campaign."

Chelsea are eight points clear of second place Manchester City going into their final match of the season.

Adebayor Reveals Suicidal Thoughts

Tottenham Hotspur's Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor revealed in a candid Facebook post on Wednesday that he considered suicide over a feud with his family.

The 31-year-old, who has barely featured for Spurs this season, also claimed that he had had a knife held to his throat by his brothers, Peter – who died in July 2012 – and Kola.

"Many times I wanted to give up," Adebayor wrote. "Ask my sister Iyabo Adebayor how many times I have called and was ready to commit suicide. I kept these stories for years.

"But if I die, no-one would know my story, no-one would learn from it. Some people say I should keep these stories private, but someone has to sacrifice himself, someone has to talk about it."

It is the third time this month that Adebayor has published a lengthy post on Facebook about his disagreements with members of his family.

In the latest 1 649-word offering – posted in English and French – he alleged that he was threatened with a knife after refusing to give Kola money to set up a car business during his time at Monaco.

"I was very tired and decided to go take a nap. I woke and a knife was held to my throat," Adebayor wrote.

"As I opened my eyes, both of my brothers (Kola and Peter) were there. They were shouting and they claimed that I was wasting their time.

"Peter was going mad and Kola was supporting (him). I asked them, 'Is this the only way to solve this issue? If yes, then kill me and take the money.' It's only at that moment that he put the knife down."

Adebayor explained that he had taken to Facebook after his siblings spoke out about "family issues" on social media.

Adebayor has been at Spurs since 2011, following previous spells with Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid, but has made only 10 appearances this season, scoring two goals.

Casillas Turns 34 With Future Uncertain

Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas turned 34 on Wednesday with uncertainty still clouding his future with the European champions, and Real reportedly lining up David De Gea as his replacement.

Casillas has been blamed by some fans for Real's woes this season, when they failed to win any of the three major trophies, while arch rivals Barcelona are on the verge of a treble of Champions League and Spanish league and Cup titles.

The Spain international has suggested he wants to see out his contract, which runs until the end of the 2016-17 season, but he has been visibly irritated by his treatment at the Bernabeu in recent weeks.

While some sections of fans clearly back him, others have roundly whistled him, along with coach Carlo Ancelotti and Wales winger Gareth Bale.

Madrid-based sports dailies Marca and As both reported on Wednesday that Real had let Casillas know the club wants him to stay on next season.

That did not mean, however, that Real would abandon their efforts to lure the 24-year-old De Gea, second choice for Spain behind Casillas, from Manchester United in the close season, they added.

If De Gea does move back to Spain, Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas, who joined Real after shining at last year's World Cup finals in Brazil, would look to move on, reports said.

Casillas made his first-team debut for Real in September 1999 and has made 724 appearances in 16 seasons, winning a host of trophies including three Champions League crowns and five La Liga titles.

Gunners Out To Seal Top-Three Spot

Sunderland visit Arsenal on Wednesday needing just a point to confirm their English Premier League survival.

The match will be broadcast live and will also available via live streaming.

Dick Advocaat's men missed the chance to make sure of their top-flight status for next season last Saturday as they were held to a 0-0 home draw by Leicester City. But the Wearside club still hold a three-point advantage over third-bottom Hull City and only require a draw at Emirates Stadium to stay up.

However, they face an Arsenal side who have won 13 of their last 17 matches in the Barclays Premier League. The Gunners can seal third place and a spot in the Uefa Champions League group stage with a win.

A heavy loss would keep the pressure on Sunderland, whose goal difference is inferior to Hull's and only five better than that of struggling Newcastle United, ahead of a final-day meeting with champions Chelsea.

“Normally, if you have 37 points, you're safe,” Advocaat said. “But we will go on until the end and we have to do what we have to do to get that point.

"The other teams have to do what they have to do too, and win their games. We will stay up, I have no doubts about that."

Arsenal lost their last home match 1-0 to Swansea City, and Arsene Wenger is expecting Sunderland to execute a similar gameplan, sitting back and hoping to attack Arsenal on the counter. The Arsenal manager called the defeat by Swansea an “accident” and called on his team to use their high energy to clinch third spot in the league.

“For me the Swansea game was an accident,” Wenger said. “Having analysed it, it’s one of the games we deserved to win the most of all the games. We lost two in two or three years now, so you can say that’s an accident.

“Sunderland need a point to be safe so I expect them to be well organised defensively, sound at the back, and to try to use all the counter-attacks they can, all the set-pieces they have, to score goals. We have to put a high rhythm into this game and play with a high level of energy to win the game.”

It remains to be seen whether Danny Welbeck (knee) will be fit to play, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mathieu Debuchy both have hamstring injuries. Laurent Koscielny is a doubt and Wenger has suggested that he will end his run of an unchanged starting XI for six EPL matches.

Billy Jones has added to Sunderland's injury worries with a muscle injury picked up late in the Leicester draw. Should Jones miss out he will join a lengthy list of absentees that includes Wes Brown, Jordi Gomez and Ricky Alvarez (all knee) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring).

Arsenal (from): Ospina, Szczesny, Bellerin, Chambers, Debuchy, Gabriel, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Arteta, Cazorla, Coquelin, Diaby, Flamini, Gnabry, Ozil, Ramsey, Rosicky, Wilshere, Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott, Welbeck.

Sunderland (from): Mannone, Pantilimon, Coates, Jones, O'Shea, Reveillere, Van Aanholt, Vergini, Bridcutt, Buckley, Cattermole, Giaccherini, Johnson, Larsson, Defoe, Fletcher, Graham, Wickham.

Petr Cech Eyeing 'Arsenal, Man United Or PSG' Move, Claims Chelsea Star's Agent

Peter Cech would like to join Arsenal, Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain this summer, according to his agent.

The Blues goalkeeper is expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, after losing his first team place to Thibaut Courtois.

Jose Mourinho admitted on Monday he is powerless to stop the Czech Republic star joining a Premier League rival.

And Viktor Kolar, Cech’s agent, insists the 32-year-old is keen on a move to rivals Arsenal or Manchester United.

“Arsenal, Manchester United or PSG are all top clubs. And Petr would like to join one of them – definitely.

“Petr expects that Abramovic not Mourinho will decide about his future, based on their mutual agreement from last year.”

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review - Wednesday, May 20

Here's the top transfer-related stories in Wednesday's newspapers...

Manchester City will make a £40million bid for Liverpool contract rebel Raheem Sterling. (Daily Mirror)

City will offer to make Raheem Sterling one of their highest paid players in a bid to lure him away from Liverpool. (Daily Express)

Chelsea are ready to offload Oscar and Juan Cuadrado to finance a bid for Raheem Sterling. (Daily Star)

Radamel Falcao has been offered to Premier League champions Chelsea as Monaco prepare to send the forward out on loan again next season. (Daily Mail)

Manchester United will offer goalkeeper David De Gea a new contract worth up to £250,000 a week to convince the 24-year-old to commit to the club amid interest from Real Madrid. (The Sun)

Petr Cech is ready to consider a move to Manchester United as David de Gea’s replacement after Jose Mourinho admitted he is powerless to prevent the Chelsea goalkeeper from signing for a major Premier League rival. (Daily Telegraph)

Louis van Gaal is ready to go Dutch in his pursuit of Manchester United’s successor to David De Gea. United have lined up a £25million bid for Ajax and Holland keeper Jasper Cillessen - if they fail to prevent Spaniard De Gea joining Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Lyon's chairman has warned Manchester City and other interested parties that Alexandre Lacazette will cost more than €50million. (Manchester Evening News)

Keshi Allows NPFL Players To Play Midweek Games In Order To Avoid Distractions

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has allowed players invited to the Super Eagles for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad to feature for their clubs in Wednesday’s Nigeria Professional Football League Week 10 matches.

Camp was scheduled to open on Tuesday with 26 players from the domestic scene. However, they can now go back to play for their clubs in tomorrow's matches.

“We want to allow the players to feature for their clubs in the midweek games, so that they will know that once they report to camp, they will not be going anywhere again," Keshi was quoted by the NFF website.

“It is important that they come to camp and concentrate. We don’t want distractions, especially with the team scheduled to play a number of friendly matches in the weeks to come before the qualifier against Chad."

All the 26 players were expected to report to camp on Tuesday, but the grace of 48 hours will now ensure they help their clubs’ fortunes in the Week 10 matches.

The 53-year-old former defender has invited three goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders and eight strikers from the domestic league for the match, with the list of overseas-based professionals due to be released this weekend.

Nigeria have been drawn in an Afcon qualifying group that includes Egypt, Chad and Tanzania and will play their first game against Chad in Kaduna on June 13.

Wenger: Why Spend €55m When We Already Have Coquelin?

Francis Coquelin proves that Arsenal can find top quality players without having to spend huge sums of money, according to Arsene Wenger.

Since being recalled from his loan at Chartlon, the 24-year-old has been a revelation for the Gunners, making 21 Premier League appearances and impressively filling the void at the base of the midfield.

Coquelin's remarkable breakthrough has quietened the calls for Wenger to add a more tenacious edge to his midfield this summer just as he is looking to turn a talented squad into genuine title contenders.

Southampton have put a €35 million asking price on talismanic midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, but Wenger insists the success of Coquelin is evidence that large transfer deals are not the only way to improve a team.

"I think nobody would dispute that his performances have been convincing and that he is ready for a fight even if somebody comes in," the Gunners boss said of Coquelin.

"Even if somebody comes in, he will stay here. I extended his contract, that means I believe in him.

"It hasn’t changed my mind about transfers a lot, but what is for sure is that he has shown he has the capacity to play for us and play a big part in the success of the team.

"The world has changed. The appreciation today of the quality of a player is just down with the money you spend. If we had bought Coquelin at Christmas for £40 million (€55m), everyone would say 'what a signing'.

"I am sorry he didn’t cost any money, but he is still a good player."

Wenger is also adamant that the domestic core of his squad remains as important as ever, despite not fielding a single Englishman in his starting XI for six successive Premier League games.

"They have been injured," he added. "Walcott has been out for a year. Wilshere has been out since November. Kieran Gibbs is now coming back. It's true, they had little setbacks.

"I know our future is only bright if I can keep a cohesion, and a core of players who have been educated here and can play year-in year-out together.

"That is the difficulty in the modern job, you know the cohesion is a very important part of the success of the team, but you are always under pressure to get players in. We live in a new world, people always want new."

Madrid Have No Limits, Says Perez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says his side will return with renewed vigour after a disappointing end to the season.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will finish La Liga in second place, after being eliminated from the Champions League semi-finals and the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

However, Perez insists that the club will not give up in their pursuit of dominance, both in Spain and Europe.

"This week is the celebration of the first anniversary of La Decima," the Blancos supremo said at the launch of a new club app.

"Madrid do not give up, neither do Madrid fans. And we will try to achieve La Undecima.

"Real Madrid have no boundaries. Real Madrid is a feeling and an emotion. We all share the victories and the glories.

"We are united by these feelings and principles. The team must be among the best in the world."

Madrid end their 2014-15 campaign with a derby clash against Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Barca Stalwart Xavi Heading To Qatar

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez will leave the Catalan club he has served since boyhood for Qatari side Al Sadd at the end of this season, his father said on Tuesday.

"The moment has come for Xavi to say goodbye," the 35-year-old midfielder's father Joaquin Hernandez told radio Cope.

He said the contract with Al Sadd would allow Xavi, presently the team captain, to train as a coach as well as playing.

"He is lucky to have received a really impressive offer that allows him to continue playing football, train as a future coach and also rest a little."

Xavi is Barcelona's most decorated player of all time and one of the heroes of Spain's Euro and World Cup-winning squads.

In March he met with managers of Al Sadd, which announced on social media that he had signed with the club but the Qatari side then said the deal had not yet been sealed.

Xavi will personally announce the move during a press conference on Thursday, Spanish media reported.

His contract with the Spanish league champions runs until next year but the club had already made it clear that it would not stand in the way of his departure.

"Xavi has earned the right to decide his future," Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said in March when asked about the reports that the iconic playmaker had agreed to a move to Qatar.

The player will be following in the footsteps of Real Madrid legend Raul who played 39 games for Al Sadd, one of Qatar's top clubs, between 2012 and 2014, before joining the New York Cosmos in October 2014.

Barcelona sealed the league title on Sunday with a 1-0 win away over 2014 champions Atletico Madrid.

Xavi was filmed weeping with joy after that win. It is his eighth title in the league and his 23rd overall with Barcelona, making him the player with most medals in the club's history.

He still has the chance to end his last season at Barcelona with a treble, as his side will play in the finals of the Spanish cup and Champions League.

'Instrumental to the club'

Xavi joined Barcelona in 1991 at the age of 11. He has played more than 760 matches for the side – more than any other player.

The transfer will bring the curtain down on a 17-year first-team playing career with Barcelona, during which time Xavi has so far won three Champions League titles and two Fifa Club World Cups in addition to the eight La Liga championships.

He was also an integral part of Spain's World Cup-winning side in 2010 and their two European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012.

Beyond mere figures, he will also be remembered as being a central figure of Barcelona's revolutionary 'tiki-taka' style of football, which relies on possession and passing, and helped the Catalan side to become arguably the dominant team in Europe in the first decade of the century.

His departure follows that of other club heavyweights in recent years such as defender Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Xavi almost left Barcelona at the end of last season after the Catalan side failed to win any silverware but was reportedly convinced by coach Luis Enrique to stay on.

He has spent much of this season relegated to the bench although Enrique has relied on him during decisive matches.

"I don't think there will be another player like him. He is an unique, inimitable player who has been instrumental to the club and the national team," Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said at a publicity event.

Xavi's signing is one of the biggest coups for Qatari domestic football in a country set to host the 2022 World Cup.

Al Sadd competed in the Club World Cup in 2011, finishing third after being knocked out by Barcelona in the semifinals.

Reports suggest that Xavi will sign a three-year contract, with his role to combine coaching as well.

Sinclair Makes Villa Move Permanent

Aston Villa have signed Manchester City midfielder Scott Sinclair on a four-year contract after a successful loan spell, the Premier league club said on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old former Chelsea and Swansea City player, who has been at Villa Park since January, has committed his long-term future to the FA Cup finalists, who are now free of relegation worries and can focus on facing Arsenal at Wembley.

"I am so happy. We've had a fantastic end to the current season – and now I am already looking forward to the new season starting," Sinclair, who has scored three goals since joining Villa, told the club website (www.avfc.co.uk):

"It's also great for me and the family to be settled now," he added. "For every footballer, it's important to have that stability. I believe that will help me perform better and push on for this great club in the coming years.

"It's so much different than when you're on loan and going here, there and everywhere.

"I have already loved every minute of playing for this club. To be a permanent Villa player now is a fantastic feeling."