Aston Villa's new defender Bjorn Engels is determined to make a big impact on the Premier League this season.

The £8m arrival tipped to partner fellow summer buy Tyrone Mings in Dean Smith's first-choice line-up reckons he has plenty to bring to the party.

Engels said: “It is hard to say who I most admire from the Belgians who have played here in England. They have all played for great clubs in this league.

“You have Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, and I have looked to them as countrymen - and Vincent Kompany, of course. We have had great defenders in the Belgium squad and I can only look to them and learn from them. Vincent was very important not only to Man City, but to the whole league.

“And I speak to Youri and Leander. I know them from the Belgium Under-21s when I was there.

“I like to play out from the back, I am good in the air and I score sometimes too – that is also important for a defender.

“There is a lot of competition in defence at Villa and I will have to fight for my place, but you expect that when you come here. I am looking forward to the challenge. It was always a dream for me to come and play in the Premier League and play for such a big club as Aston Villa. It is amazing for me.

“I am looking forward to the intensity of the games. Also the fans in the stadium are very lively.Every player arrives at a new club with some pressure to improve, it isn't always to do with the money or the fee. I just have to improve myself like all the others.

“It has been easy to settle in, the new players have been made very welcome by Jack Grealish, Conor Hourihane, the leaders of the team. They tell you how important it is to play for Villa. And [Chelsea legend and now Villa assistant] John Terry has had a few words, telling me to enjoy it and a few tactical tips. It is great to work with him, he is a legend and I always looked up to him."