BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Aston Villa (original) (raw)

Southampton striker Kevin Phillips has joined Aston Villa in a �1m transfer.

"I'm determined to make my mark and show I can still get goals in the Premiership," Phillips told the Villa website after signing a two-year deal.

The former St Mary's boss Gordon Strachan paid Sunderland �3.25m for Phillips, 31, in August 2003.

The ex-England striker scored 23 Premiership goals in 64 appearances and is the first high-profile name to leave the Saints since they were relegated.

Phillips was a target for Villa manager David O'Leary during the last transfer window, and the Irishman has finally got his man.

"I know the manager has been interested in signing me for some time," added Phillips.

"When it became clear Villa were still in for me this summer, there was no doubt in my mind. I didn't want to go anywhere else.

"It's a boost as a player to know the manager rates you so highly and hopefully I can justify that faith with a few goals here next season."

The former England international will become O'Leary's fourth new signing this summer, following winger Patrik Berger, defender Aaron Hughes and goalkeeper Stuart Taylor.

It was while with Sunderland, when he scored 132 goals in 236 appearances, that Phillips came to prominence with England, winning the first of his eight caps in April 1999 in a 1-1 draw against Hungary.

He last pulled on an England shirt in February 2002.

He failed to score in any of his England appearances, though that did not deter the Saints from prising Phillips away from Sunderland following their relegation from the top flight in 2003.

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