VILLA linchpin James Collins has revealed he is prepared to pledge his future to the club and has also explained his decision to pull out of the Wales squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.

The experienced centre-half is midway through the four-year deal he signed when he moved from West Ham in September 2009 and has this season returned to some of his best form. One of the major reasons for that has been his more functional relationship with Villa manager Alex McLeish, whose training regime he praised early in the season.

Indeed Collins has flourished under the former Scotland defender to such an extent that he now wants to make another commitment to Villa.

“I’d love to extend my contract here and stay at Villa as long as I can,” the Newport-born centre half said.

“As long as the manager is happy and the fans are then I’d like to stay here as long as possible.

“I’ve only just turned 28 so I think my best years are definitely still in front of me.

“I am not too bothered about how much I have left on my current deal. It’s more about if I’m performing well and the club want to give me a new contract that would be great because I would love to stay as long as possible.

“I am enjoying my time here and enjoying playing under the current manager. Since I’ve been here everyone has been great.

“My family have settled in the area so if the opportunity was to come I’d love to sign another contract.”

The situation is slightly less clear on the international front where Collins has slipped behind Ashley Williams and Darcy Blake in Gary Speed’s squad.

Nevertheless, Collins was called up for tomorrow’s Group G clash with Switzerland and next Tuesday’s trip to Bulgaria before withdrawing citing injury.