Hendrie accepts Villa offer of one-year deal

ASTON VILLA midfielder Lee Hendrie has climbed down from his original demands and signed a 12-month contract extension which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2007.

The midfielder, who had 17 months to run of his current deal, said last month that he was after "a two-year extension" and "ideally wanted to sign for Villa for life."

But it soon became apparent Villa were only prepared to offer him another year a stance that was fully backed by manager David O'Leary.

Villa have not moved from that position and were unlikely to given their current financial position and O'Leary's revelations that the days of players being offered long-term contracts were over.

Hendrie is now likely to qualify for a testimonial as he will have been a first-team player for 12 years by the time the new deal runs out.