“He had in his contract that if he played a certain number of games, then the option would automatically be exercised. He has played that number of games – 25 to be exact," Villa boss Graham Taylor told the clubs official website.
“I’ve been very pleased with him. Alex Ferguson, when he released him, made a comment that a fit Ronny Johnsen was as good a Premiership centre-back as there is.
“I think Villa supporters have seen that in his performances this season. He has had problems with fitness. He’s had one or two knocks here, but he’s approaching 30 games now.
“Ronny wasn’t match-fit at the start of the season, he hadn’t had a proper pre-season. But, while he has missed a few games, all of his injuries have been picked-up in games as contact injuries.
“So we’re very happy with how his fitness has progressed this season, bearing in mind how he’d left Manchester United last season after a few injury problems.”