Brett Holman has already left a lasting impression on his new team-mates despite making just a brief visit to his new club.
The Australian international won’t join Villa until the summer after agreeing a pre-contract to move from AZ Alkmaar.
However, he checked in at Bodymoor Heath to familiarise himself with his new surroundings earlier this week and caught up with some of the current crop.
Barry Bannan said that he introduced himself to some of the group and the young Scot admitted that he is already looking forward to seeing what the 27-year-old midfielder can offer the team.
“I think it’s a good signing and I think Brett will contribute a lot to the experience and quality of the squad,” said Bannan.
“The gaffer clearly thinks he is a player who will add something and that’s going to keep everyone on their toes. That’s what competition does and it’s healthy.
“The fact he’s played in the Champions League and at a World Cup underlines his quality and at 27-years-old he will be at the peak of his game.
“AZ Alkmaar are competing for the Dutch title again and he’ll be arriving on a high if they can win another championship.
“He wants to come to the Premier League after a decade in Holland and that’s a sign of his ambition.
“I’m sure he has a good, settled life there but he wants to come here to face a fresh challenge, which is great. A new signing coming in gives supporters a lift too.”
Bannan said that Holman, who has 53 caps for his country, will be given a warm welcome when he arrives permanently and that the team will help him settle in quickly.
“Brett will be made very welcome at Aston Villa,” he said.
“He’s already been to the training ground to have a look around and I think he met one or two of the lads.
“He’s very eager to come and play here and he will have that winning mentality which all Australian sports people seem to have.”
Holman began his career in Australia before moving to Holland and joining Feyenoord in 2002.
A loan spell at SBV Excelsior preceded a move to NEC Nijmegen in 2006 before he joined AZ Alkmaar in 2008 at the beginning of their championship-winning season.
Holman’s form both domestically and in Europe has made him a coveted property.
In 2011 he won the Australian Football Media Association’s Player of the Year award and his appearances for Australia over the past two years have comfortably exceeded the requisite 75 per cent of games in order for him to be eligible for a work permit.
After agreeing to join earlier this week the attacking player said: “I’m delighted to have agreed terms with Aston Villa and I am looking forward to joining up with the team in the summer.
“Villa have a long and prestigious history in English football and a fantastic set of fans.
“In the meantime I have a job to do with AZ in trying to finish the season as Eredivisie champions, as cup winners and progressing as far as possible in the Europa competition.”
