Joe Cole: Villa Park can become a fortress again
Joe Cole today targeted ending Villa Park's open house and returning it to its former glory.
The claret and blues midfielder believes the key to reviving Villa is ensuring they finally cash in on home advantage.
They suffered a club record 10 home defeats in the league last season after losing nine at Villa Park the year before.
Cole signed a two-year deal this week, following his release from West Ham, and insisted the claret and blues need to rediscover their home comforts.
He said: "Villa Park has actually been a very difficult place for me to come and play as an away player.
"I remember at Chelsea we had a particularly bad record there and I don't think West Ham's was much better either. I know how difficult it can be for opposition players and we need to get back to making it that fortress.
"If we get a good start we know the fans will get right behind us and it's a good place to play. I think "I've only scored one goal at Villa Park, in the quarter final of the cup, so it's a tough place to play. I'm glad I'm on the home side now.
"There is just so much potential at the club to kick on and I think we're only going to get better."
