Villa sign winger Boulding

Boulding (right) has signed a 12-month deal

Aston Villa have beaten off competition from Middlesbrough and Everton to sign Grimsby winger Michael Boulding.

The 26-year-old has agreed a 12-month contract and becomes Graham Taylor's third signing of the summer.

Boulding was available on a Bosman free transfer and had looked set to join Middlesbrough after being invited for a trial by manager Steve McClaren.

The World Cup has helped my confidence, which is something I've been lacking over the last couple of years

Darius Vassell

But Taylor moved in to secure his services following the player's impressive displays at the end of last season.

"He was due to go to Middlesbrough and Everton on trial this summer but, before I left to go to Japan, he agreed not to make any decision without speaking to me," said Taylor.

Boulding added: "I was attracted by the fact that in Graham Taylor I've now got a manager who has a proven track record of taking players from the Nationwide League and turning them into top flight players.

"West Ham also offered me a trial and I was scheduled to go up to Middlesbrough but the chance to come up here came up.

"I was a Sheffield United supporter as a kid and they wanted me this summer but the chance to come here was too good to turn down.

"It is a dream come true. I started at Mansfield, then moved to Grimsby and now it's fantastic to be at Villa.

"I would say my pace is my biggest asset. I've got a few goals in me as well."

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Darius Vassell, meanwhile, has vowed to put his World Cup disappointment behind him as he prepares for the new season.

Vassell started England's opening game against Sweden but was reduced to a substitute's role for the rest of the tournament.

The striker, who is set to resume talks about a new contract in the near future, was not among the players who reported back for pre-season training on Monday.

He has been given extra time to recuperate along with the other Villa players who were involved in the World Cup.

And Vassell believes the experience of being involved in the international set-up will help him at club level.

"It has helped my confidence, which is something I've been lacking over the last couple of years," he added.

"Maybe I'll feel a bit better about my game next season and have a good year with Aston Villa."