Wednesday, 26th June, 2013
Aston Villa midfielder Ashley Westwood believes that he improved a great deal last season.
The 23-year-old is a promising talent who joined Villa Park last term after spending four seasons with Crewe Alexandra.
Westwood insists that rubbing shoulders with Premier League players and manager Paul Lambert’s training sessions had a huge impact in sharpening his skills.
"The training at Villa is unbelievable. That’s the big thing I have noticed coming from Crewe”, Westwood told his club’s official site.
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"The training is so sharp and if you’re not on it every day in training, you get found out.
"It’s all sharp, snappy stuff – one and two touch – that suits me down to the ground – working on possession. It’s fantastic.
"What you do in training is what you take forward into the games. If you’re not sharp, on it, switched on, you’re going to be sluggish come Saturday. That’s always been the way I’ve looked at it.
"I have improved massively as a player since being here. I can’t undersell that point.
"But the gaffer has given me masses of belief. He gives you the confidence to go out and play and that’s served me well in some big games.”
Moving up from a League One side, the midfielder explained he has always believed in his abilities and this has helped him to adjust to life in Premier League and playing against top notch sides and individuals.
Westwood also heaped praise on Villa’s manager Lambert and aims to improve under him, as the former Crewe Alexandra player feels that he has further scope to develop at the club.
"Coming from League One, you naturally think it’s a big jump playing against the likes of Man Utd and Man City. They do have top-quality players – brilliant players – but you have to remember they are human and believe in your own ability.
"My aim now is to keep on improving under the gaffer. You have to keep striving. One thing I am certain of is that I can develop here."
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