West Ham star admits he nearly signed for a Tony Pulis side instead of Aston Villa

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James Collins reveals he came within days of linking up with his fellow Welshman at Stoke City before moving to Villa Park in 2009.

West Ham United defender James Collins has told the club’s official website that he chose to leave the club to link up with Tony Pulis’ Stoke City in 2009 before ultimately joining Aston Villa.

Collins played 65 times in a little over four years at Upton Park after joining the club from Cardiff City in 2005 before seeking a move away due to lack of regular first-team opportunities.

He was signed by Martin O’Neill for Aston Villa in 2009 and played 108 matches in three years in Birmingham before rejoining the Hammers, including helping Villa finish sixth and reach Wembley twice in his first season at Villa Park.

Since returning to West Ham he has been a more important player than he was during his first spell, and now enjoys a role as one of the elder statesmen of the club at the age of 32.

Ahead of the Irons’ meeting with Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion next weekend, Collins has revealed that he came within 48 hours of choosing to move to the Britannia rather than to B6 seven years ago.

The Welsh international told whufc.com: “I almost signed for [Pulis] a couple of years back when he was at Stoke. I went to Villa a couple of days later instead, though.

“He is from Newport and grew up not far from me, so I’ve always had a good bit of banter with him. I know boys that have played for him, but he’s a great manager and a great man.

“He gets his teams working hard and it’s going to be tough on Saturday. We’re confident though that we can get the three points. I am dying to get back on the pitch and play my part in the rest of the season.”

Collins made his first appearance since the start of March as a substitute in the Hammers’ 3-1 over Watford a week ago and is hoping to be in contention to start against Pulis’ Albion this weekend.

West Ham are still pushing for European qualification through the league but face an uphill struggle to finish in the top five, sitting three points off Manchester United and eight off Arsenal in the final Champions League spot.