Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert feels some of the clubs new signings have a great opportunity in front of them.
The West Midlands club bought in the likes of Ashley Westwood, Jordan Bowery and Joe Bennett from the lower divisions this summer and ahead of the trip to Swansea City tomorrow, Lambert has indicated that they could all be in the running for their respective top flight debuts.
Lambert is aware that there may be some criticism regarding the signings but feels that their experience in decent competitions will have them ready to go once their Premier League chance comes around.
"The Premier League is unforgiving. The opportunity is there for them, now they have to go and do it," he said.
"You have to have someone who has the belief in you to give you that opportunity.
"The important thing is they have miles on the clock in terms of playing football. If you play a couple of hundred Championship or League One games, then you know they have played men's football.
"It is not as if the lads have come from academy football and are playing against lads of their own age. They have played against hardened, seasoned pros.
"It is a school of hard knocks which I think is important. They've had to learn their trade and they've played at a young age which indicates they can handle it.
"They just need that opportunity to prove they can do it at a higher level."
