Aston Villa sign Shorey and Young

Young and Shorey will give Villa some much-needed options in defence

Aston Villa have completed the signings of Reading left-back Nicky Shorey and Middlesbrough right-back Luke Young.

Both players are England internationals and will provide a major boost to Villa's defensive options.

A host of clubs were keen on Shorey, 27, following Reading's relegation last season and the player has signed on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Middlesbrough are expected to make a profit on Young, 29, who joined them from Charlton for £2.5m last summer.

Young discussed personal terms and underwent a medical before the deal went through on Thursday.

Villa were in need of extra players in defence following the departure of Olof Mellberg to Juventus and long-term injury to Wilfred Bouma.

Young should become the first-choice right-back at Villa Park, replacing Mellberg, while Shorey is initially expected to stand in for Bouma, who dislocated his ankle during the Intertoto Cup victory over Odense BK.

"I'm really pleased to be here at Villa. It's happened quite quickly," said Young.

I think at the minute Villa are a notch above Boro Luke Young

"I think at the minute Villa are a notch above Boro, and there's a great opportunity for me to play European football as well."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said Young was the "natural" right-back the club had needed to solve what was a problematic position last season.

"The right-back position caused us a few problems for us last season in terms of us not having a natural right-back," he said.

"Luke is a natural right-back and played for England not so long ago. He did very well for Boro last season and this is a great opportunity for him."

Upon completing his own switch, Shorey - Villa's fourth signing of the summer - said that he spurned the advances of other clubs to move to Villa Park.

"I can achieve all my ambitions at this football club," he said.

"Obviously I talked to the manager and he's very positive and ambitious. That's what I am. I want to get back into the Premier League and show people what I can do."

Talking about Shorey, O'Neill told Aston Villa's official website: "Nicky is a quality natural left-back who played for England 18 months ago."

606: DEBATE Now I am really happy and cannot wait for the season to start, a great day to be a Villa fan Fleetvilla

"Obviously the injury to Freddie (Bouma) has left a gaping hole on the left. Freddie had a wonderful season for us last year and this wasn't necessarily a priority for us before the injury.

"But Nicky Shorey is more than a back-up. He's a quality player on the ball and is up for the challenge."

Shorey made his England debut against Brazil in June 2007, with his second, and most recent, cap coming in a friendly against Germany two months later at Wembley.

Young made 35 appearances for Middlesbrough last season and was called up to the England squad in October ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifying match against Russia.

He made his international debut in a friendly against the USA in 2005 and has seven caps, the last of which came against Argentina in November 2005.