Aston Villa signing eager to prove his worth after injury-hit start

Leon Goretzka is eager to make up for lost time as he prepares for a belated Premier League bow with Villa.

The Germany international has outlined his desire to help with Unai Emery’s rebuild after making his debut off the bench in Wednesday’s Champions League thrashing of Fenerbahce.

Goretzka had experienced a frustrating time after suffering a knee injury shortly after joining the club on a free transfer in August.

But the former Bayern Munich midfielder is now back to full fitness and ready to play his part as Emery’s men resume their top flight campaign at Newcastle on Saturday evening.

“You can imagine that it was not the easiest start for me because of the injury I had,” he said.

“When you join a new club, you want to show that you are a good signing. I am really happy to be back on the pitch.

“Everything feels really good. The team is really good, and it is kind of a rebuild, I think.

“We still need to find our new structure in the team, and I am happy to be part of it.

“Happy to be able to help now and in the next weeks and months. Everything feels better day to day, and I am excited to experience the next few weeks.”

Goretzka was a free agent following the end of an eight-year stay at Bayern, during which time he won the Champions League and seven Bundesliga titles.

Villa and Emery pushed hard for his signature amid competition from several other clubs.

The 31-year-old revealed how conversations with the Villa boss helped sway his decision.

“He (Emery) played a big role in my process of what I want to do,” said Goretzka.

“It was a longer journey during the break, to be honest. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, but he convinced me that this is the right move to do now - and I think he was right.

“Obviously, I am one of the experienced players, and it is in my nature to be a leader. I have it in me.

“Like I said before, the first weeks weren’t so easy, so it is now up to me to be in good shape.

“I try to always see the positives, and I think that the Premier League is a bit different, so I used the last weeks to get ready for it and prepare myself. I think that I have done this, and now I feel better and better.”

Villa head to Tyneside looking to back-up Wednesday’s superb 6-0 win.

But while they were rampant against Fenerbahce, Goretzka echoed the words of Emery by insisting there is still plenty of work to do.

Villa have won just one of their first six league matches and he said: “It’s always easier to say (things are clicking) after 6-0 and a big win. There is still lots of room for improvement, to be honest.

“If you see the first half, we conceded too many chances, in my opinion.

“That’s what the coach will do: find things to improve on each game. That’s what we will do with this game as well.”