Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis has revealed that he has shaken hands with manager David O'Leary on a new long-term contract.
Ellis is not anticipating there will be any 11th hour hitches while he is away from Villa for a short break and that O'Leary will be staying with the club until the summer of 2008.
Ellis said: "We've shaken hands on a deal that is effectively for the next three years and eight months, going through to the summer of 2008.
"It was a 90 minute meeting at which we reached our agreement and, as far as I am concerned, shaking hands on a deal means we have a deal."
O'Leary, whose current contract has 19 months to run, has said he is 90% certain to put pen to paper within the next seven to 10 days.
He has been given assurances by Ellis that money will be made available to strengthen a squad that is amongst the smallest in the Barclays Premiership.
