Collins is thrilled at Villa move but misses pal Danny.

Byline: Chris Wathan

JAMES Collins got the big-money move he'd been waiting for after sealing a deadline-day switch to Aston Villa.

But, despite agreeing a pounds 5m move to the Midlands, Wales star Collins admitted it won't take long for him to miss his old Bluebirds pal Danny Gabbidon.

The pair formed a formidable defensive pairing at Ninian Park before leaving for West Ham in a pounds 3.5m double deal four years ago.

But, after hitting the top flight together with the Hammers, Collins ended a seven-year club partnership when he signed a four-year deal at Villa Park just an hour before the transfer window closed yesterday.

And the 26-year-old said: "It's going to be strange. We've been friends for a number of years now, we were at Cardiff together and then we went to West Ham together.

"And I said to my wife it's going to be strange going into training and not seeing him!

"I've seen him every day for 10 years so it's going to be strange, but it's an exciting time for me and I'm sure he'll be over the moon for me.

"I've always looked up to him because he's a fantastic player and a fantastic lad - I've learned from one of the best in him.

"It's going to be strange not having him around but after learning from him I'll be looking to show what I've picked up in a Villa shirt."

Collins swapped claret and blue for claret and blue with the move, turning down a switch to Stoke a fortnight ago. And he could make his debut in the second city derby, with another Cardiff old boy lining up in opposition in Roger Johnson.

But it's Wales duty first up for Collins with both he and Gabbidon due to be named in the squad to face Russia at the Millennium Stadium next Wednesday.

But the 28-cap defender admitted the frantic 11th-hour move has left him without his kit for the clash with Gus Hiddink's men.

He said: "We're not meeting up until Saturday, but it's been that mad I've literally got one bag with me so I'll have to try and get back down to London at some point next week and try and get a few things sorted!

"But I'm delighted to have got the move done and I can't wait to get cracking.

"It's a massive club and it didn't take a lot of persuading.

"I loved my time at West Ham, but I believe I have taken a step forward.

"I've come here to improve as a player and hopefully improve their team and I'll be looking to do that straight away."

Premier League clubs' spending on new players dropped by 10% to pounds 450m over the summer, with a big drop in investment in foreign players.

Even Manchester City's pounds 120m spree failed to see the top flight match the record sum of pounds 500 spent a year ago.

Football finance experts believe the high rate of the euro and 50% tax rate for the very high earners has contributed to the drop, particularly in terms of players coming from the continent.

Paul Rawnsley, director of Deloitte's Sports Business Group, said the figures were no surprise - and net spending has dropped from pounds 200m to pounds 80m as clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool resisted spending all their earnings from transfer income from Cristiano Ronaldo, Emmanuel Adebayor and Xabi Alonso.

Rawnsley said: He said: "Despite the significant spending by Manchester City, Premier League clubs' transfer spending has dropped.

"There are a number of contributory factors - the exchange rate, the tax regime in Spain being more favourable to players and clubs, and perhaps clubs thinking there is less of a risk in buying established Premier players than from overseas." Rawnsley does not expect the picture to alter next year either.

CAPTION(S):

James Collins celebrates a West Ham goal. The Wales defender will be looking to tighten up the Villa defence. He could play against Cardiff in the Carling Cup