Brett Holman is not bitter on Aston Villa exit

The Australia international has signed a two-year deal with Al Nasr in Dubai following being released by the claret and blues by mutual consent.

Holman fell out of favour under boss Paul Lambert, failing to start a game after January, but is not angry.

He said: "It is a move that you have to put a lot of thought into. It's a big step. The Premier League is a fantastic competition and I was at a great club, Aston Villa.

"They treated me really well, but it wasn't meant to be there. I have a lot of ambition and so does this club Al Nasr."

Holman, who only joined from AZ Alkmaar a year ago, was released as Villa overhaul of their squad after recruiting five new players ahead of the start of pre-season training next week.

Lambert needed to trim his squad with Darren Bent, Shay Given and Stephen Ireland all expect to follow the Australian out of Villa Park.

And Holman insisted he needed to leave to nail down his place in Australia's World Cup squad after the Socceroos qualified for Brazil 2014 last week.

He said: "It's very important to play regularly, every player wants to play every game if possible.

"Obviously, there is another goal for me, playing in a World Cup and it is my ambition to play every game for Al Nasr and getting in the World Cup team is definitely a goal for me.

"It was difficult leaving Europe but this is a decision that I know I have made with 100 per cent of my heart.

"It's a step I wanted to make - it is a fantastic project and it's definitely a big challenge and something I am looking forward to. I played under some fantastic coaches, I learnt a lot about football.

"Maybe I can bring that experience to this club and show what I have learnt under Dick Advocaat, Louis Van Gaal and Ronald Koeman."