BARRY Bannan has revealed how the honour of learning from another European Cup-winning midfielder has given him a fresh spring in his step heading into the new season.

Bannan shone in the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 win at Burton and is looking for repeat performances after arriving in Philadelphia for Villa’s three-match tour of the States.

The 22-year-old Scottish playmaker came through the Bodymoor Heath ranks with mentor and claret and blue legend Gordon Cowans helping him to develop his passing range.

And now Bannan is keen to benefit from the experience of new boss Paul Lambert, who also lifted the continent’s top trophy with a Champions League success at Borussia Dortmund.

Bannan, a Celtic fan, has fond memories of watching Lambert as a player and insists he can only improve if he listens to the former Bhoys hero and takes his advice on board.

“There’s the gaffer and Sid Cowans, who have won the European Cup, so for a midfielder like me I’m only going to learn from these people,” said Bannan.

“I remember the gaffer as a hard-working player, but he could play as well.

“He won a European Cup winners’ medal with Dortmund and they were a great footballing team then so I wouldn’t just say he was the grafter.

“Neil Lennon did the graft and Paul Lambert and Stan Petrov were the footballers.”

Lambert’s arrival has transformed the mood of the club and Bannan thrived as part of the new manager’s second-half side in Saturday’s pre-season opener at the Pirelli Stadium.

He was one of five central midfielders involved at the weekend with Karim El Ahmadi, Gary Gardner, Chris Herd and Daniel Johnson also playing, while Fabian Delph and Stephen Ireland were injured on the sidelines.

“It was doom and gloom last season, but even now, and we’ve not kicked a ball competitively yet, there’s a big lift already,” added Bannan.

“So hopefully when we get back in after pre-season and start playing the Premier League games and stuff there will still be a real buzz around the ground.

“It goes without saying that when there’s a new manager there’s a clean slate for everyone, so it’s just up to us players now and individuals to come in and show him what we’re all about.

“It’s everybody fighting for themselves and the chance to play now when we go into pre-season.

“He definitely sounds like he’s in a hurry to sort out the club with the way he has been talking.”

Further reading

Aston Villa: Intriguing insight into the management of Paul Lambert PAUL Lambert has given an intriguing insight into his training ground management style and the high standards he demands from his Villa players on the practice pitches.Read

Aston Villa: Feyenoord director says Ron Vlaar wants to join Aston Villa Aston Villa could be on the verge of signing defender Ron Vlaar from Feyenoord, according to the Dutch club's Director of Football, Martin Van Geel.Read

Aston Villa reveal squad for US tour - with notable absentees Aston Villa jetted off for their 10-day tour of America this afternoon – with Alan Hutton the most notable absentee from Paul Lambert’s squad. Aston Villa jetted off for their 10-day tour of America this afternoon – with Alan Hutton the most notable absentee from Paul Lambert’s squad. Read

Aston Villa: Paul Lambert expects American trio to give Villa a challenging pre-season workout PAUL Lambert is confident Villa’s triple-header against American opposition will take their pre-season preparations to the next level.Read

Paul Lambert reveals Andy Carroll interest and discusses Darren Bent's captaincy credentials PAUL Lambert has outlined Darren Bent’s credentials to become Villa’s stand-in skipper – and also revealed the club are keeping tabs on Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.Read

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan tells Twitter followers he's on his way back Goalkeeper Brad Guzan has confirmed through his Twitter account that he is returning to Aston Villa - just weeks after being released by the club.Read

Aston Villa in America: Tommy Docherty made first tour so memorable IMAGINE Paul Lambert hiding in a wardrobe to eavesdrop on his players’ conversations and then holding a champagne party in his hotel room to apologise.Read

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