Aston Villa manager John Gregory today completed the signing of England winger Steve Stone from Nottingham Forest.

Stone, 27, was paraded at a news conference at Villa Park less than 24 hours after playing for Forest against Newcastle.

Villa were reported to have had a straight cash bid of £5.5million turned down earlier today, but Gregory was always confident about landing his man.

Stone has been Forest's most consistent player this season, and without him relegation appears even more likely. At the news conference it was confirmed that Stone had joined for £5.5million on a four-and-a-quarter-year contract, with an option for a fifth year.