Dunne shares the record for the most red cards in the Barclays Premier League with eight, alongside Patrick Vieira and Duncan Ferguson.

And his first game in a Villa shirt will be the derby with Birmingham at St. Andrews next Sunday.

But the former Manchester City player is looking for a change of fortune under Martin O'Neill in terms of staying on the pitch.

Dunne said: "Wherever I go and play I'll always be 100% committed. I don't like to lose matches and I hope that's one of my strengths and I'll always give it my all.

"I can guarantee that every game that I play I'll be fully committed. I've had loads of red cards. I think there is me and Patrick Vieira as the most red-carded players in the history of the Premier League, so I'm in good company.

"I don't think I deserve many of them, although obviously the odd one. But it's just the way it goes and I suppose, as a defender if you're making last ditch tackles and you miss the odd one, then you're automatically off.

"Hopefully, my luck may change and I can stay on the pitch more. I'm struggling to remember the last one I had, but that's not a good sign, because it wasn't that long ago!

"To be fair, I don't get many bookings. I just get a load of red cards."

Dunne admits speaking with City's ex-Villa players Gareth Barry and Stuart Taylor plus Craig Bellamy, who played with O'Neill at Celtic, before deciding to move to the midlands club.

He said: "The manager has obviously worked with Craig Bellamy who spoke really highly about him. and Gareth Barry and Stuart Taylor spoke very highly of him too.

"But, when you then come and meet him yourself, you realise that he really seems an honest man who can hopefully help me improve as a player."