Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has confirmed that defender Ron Vlaar will play in the FA Cup final despite his uncertain future at Villa Park.

The Dutch international is in the last year of his contract at Villa Park and has refused to sign an extension with the West Midlands club but that will not stop Sherwood from deploying him in central defence against Arsenal at Wembley on May 30.

"Once he's on the pitch, he's in the shop window. I want to make sure I keep him in that shop window, not only for his benefit but for the club because Ron Vlaar on the pitch is going enhance us," said Sherwood of Vlaar who has recently been linked with Manchester United.

"I want to make sure I keep him on that pitch - and I am sure he wants to stay there as well.

"If there's a contract decision to be made, whether he stays at this club or goes somewhere else, we're going to have an adult decision. Ron is a man of a lot of experience and I'm sure we will have a quite frank and honest decision to make."