Standing, a former England youth international, joined Villa in 1998 as part of the deal which saw Gareth Barry move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

But he revealed that Taylor, who replaced John Gregory as Villa manager in February, was happy to let him leave and Standing was eager to make the switch to Bradford.

He said: ‘‘Once I had met Nicky Law and saw around the stadium I immediately knew that this was the club for me.

‘‘This is a Premier League stadium, and I hope we will soon be a Premier League club. I want to play my part in getting the club back in the top flight.

‘‘I was very impressed with Nicky Law and have been told of his vision for the future. I want to be part of that future and of the new generation of players he is bringing in.

‘‘I had other options but had no hesitation in signing. I spent three-and-a-half years playing in the reserves at Aston Villa, and it was doing me no good.

‘‘It never really worked out for me at Villa. I went to see the new manager, and we both agreed that if I was not happy I would not have to stay.

‘‘I now have the opportunity of doing well at a big club,’’ he told the club’s official website, www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.

Law added: ‘‘Michael is a good footballer at the right age.

‘‘He is someone we have been aware of for a long time and was looking for a fresh start, and this is where we came in.

‘‘He can play wide right or in centre midfield, so it gives me more options.’’

Standing will go straight into Law’s squad for tomorrow night’s game against Burnley at Valley Parade.