Sir Alex Ferguson believes Aston Villa Football Club pulled off the signing of the season.

The Midlands club took defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City in a £5million summer deal, and Manchester United boss Ferguson has been impressed by the Irishman.

"Dunne is the buy of the season," the Old Trafford chief, whose side face Villa in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, is quoted in the Daily Mail. "£5million for him was outstanding business.

"He and James Collins have helped Villa improve defensively this season. They are a professional, organised team and Martin O'Neill has done a terrific job with his players.”

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