Villa expect Moore to sign new contract

Aston Villa expect teenage striker Luke Moore to confirm his commitment to the club by signing a new contract in the near future.

The 19-year-old is rated highly at Villa Park and the club have feared losing him when his contract runs out this summer.

But they now believe Moore will agree to stay on, with a club spokesman telling www.avfc.co.uk: “We’ve already met with Luke’s agent and sat down for talks and we are confident he will sign a new contract.

“Those initial talks have gone well and we’re confident of a swift and positive conclusion to the whole thing.”

Moore, younger brother of Villa’s Stefan Moore, has yet to score for Villa in his 24 league appearances, 21 of which have come as substitute.

Moore has started Villa’s last two league matches, however, the defeat at Arsenal and home win over Portsmouth.

Manager David O’Leary has given him the chance to impress while England striker Darius Vassell continues to recover from injury and with Carlton Cole experiencing a goalscoring drought.