James Collins completed his move from West Ham to Villa on transfer deadline day and along with Richard Dunne was part of a double defensive swoop from Martin O'Neill.

No wonder the Villa boss decided to enter the transfer window to complete the move. Collins is a whole-hearted central defender and an international who has represented Wales at every level from under-15 to the senior side.

Tipped to reach the highest level from an early age, Collins made his first-team debut for first club Cardiff City at the age of 17 in an FA Cup first-round tie against Bristol Rovers in November 2000. Over the next three years, he would make just 12 league appearances, but he would finally establish himself in the Bluebirds first team during the 2003-04 season.

He impressed alongside Danny Gabbidon in central defence and this led to West Ham securing a joint deal for the pair in July 2005.

Collins initially found his first team chances limited at the Boleyn Ground due to the form of Gabbidon and Anton Ferdinand but, when called upon, the flame-haired defender did not let the club down.

Collins started the FA Cup semi-final victory over Middlesbrough at Villa Park but was an unused substitute in the final as West Ham went down to a thrilling defeat by Liverpool in Cardiff.

He was a rock in the Hammers sensational escape from relegation the following season and his man-of-the-match display at Manchester United on the final day summed up his fighting qualities perfectly.

Both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons were stop-start affairs for Collins, who was ruled out by a succession of minor and, in one case, major injuries.

He will now be hoping to make a big impression at Villa Park.