Ron Vlaar could stay after Tim Sherwood transformation

Free agent was widely expected to leave Villa Park in summer

Ron Vlaar has said the transformative effect of Tim Sherwood on Aston Villa means it is not a foregone conclusion the centre-back will leave the FA Cup finalists when his contract expires this summer.

The Holland international had been widely expected to leave Villa Park as a free agent and was linked with several Premier League clubs including Manchester United and Southampton. However, having recovered from several injury setbacks to play a commanding role in Villa’s progression to the FA Cup final, and witnessed a change around the club since Sherwood replaced Paul Lambert as manager in February, he admits he could be persuaded to stay.

Following a dominant display in Villa’s semi-final victory over Liverpool at Wembley, the 30-year-old said: “Yes it is possible . Things have changed for me in the past few months since Sherwood took over. It’s been a hard season for me with all the injuries. Now I just want to play and be important for the team. This helps – you can trust me on that.

“I don’t know about my future but to be part of this feels so good. To feel the joy and relief after the West Brom game when so many people came on the pitch. The impact for the fans, how big it is for this club and what it all means. I called my dad and said ’This really means something!’ It’s great. Everything helps.”

The final against Arsenal on 30 May could be Vlaar’s last game for Villa but the defender insists he is open-minded about his future. He added: “ Maybe it will be my last game but I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I want to win it anyway, no matter what, for the team, for the club, for the fans and for myself. Then we will see what happens. It’s not something to think about right now. This feels really great and I also feel things have changed at the club. You never know. I can’t tell anyone too much about it right now.”

Sherwood’s team still have to secure their Premier League status with Villa only four points clear of the relegation zone with five matches remaining, but Vlaar believes confidence will soar after the Liverpool result.

He said: “Things change in football. It wasn’t so good earlier in the year but that’s football. It’s crazy but it’s also a fact. The new manager came in and we all felt it was a new start. It’s never good when someone has to go but it felt like a fresh start. We started to play better, the results got better and the only thing that gives you confidence is winning games so this win will give us another massive boost.

“We’re ready to go again and focus on the league. The way the fans have been has really helped. We’ve already had some great games in the cup. You could see the relief after the whistle against West Brom and let’s hope there’s another one to come. We have to believe we can win it.”


By Andy Hunter / Guardian