Former Cobblers keeper Mark Bunn signs for Aston Villa

Bunn, who started his career at Sixfields before being sold to Blackburn Rovers in 2008, was released by Norwich City at the end of last season.

The goalkeeper has only played 85 games in the seven years since he left Sixfields, as he has found himself mainly as an understudy at both Ewood Park and Carrow Road.

Still only 30, the shot-stopper has joined FA Cup finalists Villa and will challenge Brad Guzan for the number one jersey, with veteran Shay Given set to move to Stoke City.

“Aston Villa is a huge football club and this was too good an opportunity to miss out on,” said Bunn, who played 109 times a little over two seasons for the Cobblers.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know my new team-mates over in Portugal at our pre-season training camp and I can’t wait to get started.

“I’m delighted to find myself working with Tony Parks again, as he was the goalkeeping coach at Norwich City so he knows me really well.”

Parks is now the goalkeeping coach at Villa for manager Tim Sherwood.