Aston Villa's new defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins are proving a hit with fans.

Staff at Villa Park say sales of Villa shirts in the club shop emblazoned with the name Collins are, together with Dunne, currently flying off the shelves so instant a hit have they been with the fans.

John Greenfield, Villa's Head of Merchandising, said the two new defenders were also the players young fans most want to meet on Thursday when there will be an open training session at Villa Park for the fans.

Greenfield told the Sunday Mercury: "Collins and Dunne are very popular at the moment at Villa Village and, while sales of the shirts have some way to go to replace those of Martin Laursen and Paul McGrath, they are really taking off."