'A massive weight has been lifted from my shoulders,' he said. 'I'm getting that happiness back now and loving football again.

'Overall, I'm an attacking player and the Villa fans want to see free-flowing football. First and foremost, we have to be strong at the back. But when asked to do so, I feel I can give us plenty of attacking options, too.'

Make no mistake, he will be asked to provide that extra dimension. His new manager, Alex McLeish, who witnessed his development at club and international level, knows exactly how to get the best out of the man known as the 'Scottish Cafu'.

'When Alan was a young player he needed a couple of things ironed out,' said McLeish. 'But later, as an international player against the French and Italians, he was unstoppable. I want Alan to do that here.'

And Villa will need all the attacking options they can get today, with Darren Bent out for another week, due to his niggling groin strain, and Emile Heskey also unfit.

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