Brett Holman is eager to play as a second striker ‘in the hole’ as Paul Lambert’s Aston Villa starting line-up begins to take shape ahead of the Premier League season.

The Australian international has been used regularly during the claret and blues’ friendlies so far, most often as a wide midfielder cutting in from the left flank.

Holman is pleased to have been so heavily involved in Villa’s pre-season programme and is prepared to play in any position to earn a place in Lambert’s first XI.

And the former AZ Alkmaar favourite is hoping for the opportunity to showcase his ability in the support striker role he performs for the Socceroos national team.

“I like to play in behind the strikers and I’m an attacking player,” said Holman. “I like to always go forward to create goals, score goals and defensive wise it’s not in my thinking really.

“You have to attack a lot and score goals to win games.

“When I first moved to Holland it was my aim to move into that role and I sort of moved from left to right.

“At AZ I played on the left coming inside and with the Australian national team I play in behind the strikers. I’ve watched a little bit of English football and hopefully that role has a place in the game here as obviously that would give me more of a chance.”

Holman, who scored on his debut at Burton Albion and also in the friendly victory at Peterborough, has been amazed by Villa’s levels of support during pre-season.

And the 28-year-old is looking forward to hopefully playing in front of the Villa Park faithful for the first time in the first home match against Everton on August 25.