He’s been signed as a right-back.
But Matthew Lowton is happy to be Paul Lambert’s flexible friend if it helps him fulfil his Premier League dream with Aston Villa.
The versatile Villan is expected to stake a strong claim for a first team full-back role following his move from Sheffield United, although the new boy can also play in midfield and central defence.
His arrival has already led to suggestions Alan Hutton’s days are numbered, with Lowton set to leap to the front of a queue also including Eric Lichaj and Chris Herd.
However, the 23-year-old defender insists he is prepared to play in any position as he strives to learn top flight football under Lambert.
“I played the majority of last season at right back, but I have played right midfield and central midfield as well,” said Lowton, whose transfer fee could rise to £3 million.
“I think my main asset is going forward and my technical ability, but obviously I’m going to try and add whatever the manager is after from me. These are exciting times for me and I can’t wait to go out and start playing.
“It’s every boy’s childhood dream to play in the Premier League and it was one of mine. This opportunity is fantastic and I thank the manager for giving it to me. Hopefully I can repay the faith that he’s shown in me and keep going at a higher level.”
Lowton became Villa’s third signing of the summer, following Brett Holman and Karim El Ahmadi, when he put pen to paper on a four-year contract.
The Chesterfield-born player had no hesitation in completing his switch from the Blades after being overwhelmed by the quality of Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training base and the footballers who inhabit it.
“Just from driving up to the training ground you can see the difference in the quality of things,” said Lowton, who was an ever-present, scoring six goals, as United made it to last season’s League One play-off final at Wembley, only to lose in a penalty shoot-out.
“The training ground looks spectacular and the pitches look phenomenal. It’s a massive club in the Premier League with a big fan base and I’m looking forward to getting to work as soon as I can.
“As a League One player last season, Premier League players are what everyone looks up to. Seeing guys like Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor and people like that is fantastic.
“Meeting players who have played international and Premier League football all their lives is amazing.”
The positive Paul Lambert factor which has engulfed Villa Park in recent weeks was also a major consideration for Lowton who has been impressed by the new manager’s instant impact on the club.
“It’s fantastic to think I’ll be playing under Paul Lambert,” added Lowton. “I was flattered when I heard the interest and, when speaking to him, he’s helped me settle in nicely so far.
“Hopefully we can get on well and I can fight for my place and play a few games this season. You can sense the buzz around the place at the moment. The lads were all having a laugh when I came in and they’ve all been very welcoming which was very good of them.
“It’s a new era with the new manager and a few new signings. The squad has already got some fantastic players, everybody knows them so hopefully we can all come together and have a successful season.”
As a young and hungry footballer with a point to prove in the Premier League, Lowton fits Lambert’s player profile – and the boss is looking to bring in those motivated more by success than money during his recruitment drive.
Lambert has taken countless calls from agents since his appointment in early June and has made it clear that a player’s character is just as important as his ability when it comes to identifying suitable targets.
“You get people on to you all the time and then you find out they want ridiculous money before they’ll even want to talk to you, but that’s the nature of the game,” said Lambert.
“I don’t think you get enjoyment from that part of the game, I think you get frustrated because you think something’s going to get done and then it doesn’t and then it’s back on again and then it isn’t.
“It can go like that, and that’s when it gets frustrating. Or people are being greedy. I don’t want people thinking money rules their head really and just want to come for money and all that. I just want people who want to play for this club. I’ll only take people because they want to do well and be successful.
“I think that’s got to come from within the players. they’ve got to be motivated by playing the game. Everything else should come secondary. If you get success then the other rewards will come after that anyway.”
