Tammy Abraham up for the fight at Aston Villa

The Chelsea loan star opened his Villa account with the opener in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Rotherham, a victory which eased a little of the pressure on boss Steve Bruce.

Abraham bagged 26 goals in all competitions during his last term in the second tier with Bristol City two seasons ago and knows that will make him the target for some rough treatment from defenders.

But he has warned them he is more than up for the battle.

“I enjoy that,” he said. “When defenders come out and they want a challenge, want to battle with me, fight with me, it gives me that drive.

“In the Championship it is never going to be an easy game, it is always going to be a fight. I think that will build me as a person as well, to get stronger.

“Defenders want to scrap because not everyone has the best technical ability. They use their strengths. I have to find a weakness in their game to use my strength.”

Abraham has been reunited at Villa with his one-time Bristol team-mate Jonathan Kodjia, who laid on the pass for his goal.

“It is nice to have a bit of chemistry from before, from the Bristol City days,” said Abraham. “Now we are here, we have to build that connection, not just me and him but the whole team. I think we will start flying.

“Knowing our ability, we have to start producing. Everyone expects us to produce. It is never easy, week in, week out.

“When it isn’t one of us, or we are having a bad day, hopefully the team can help us out.”

Victory came at a vital time for Bruce, who had heard supporters call for his head during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Blackburn, the game in which Abraham made his debut.

“The spirit was always high. The lads were never down,” said the striker.

“I have had experiences before, with Swansea last season, when we lost games and heads went down.

“It was not like that here. We know what we have here. We believe if things don’t go our way, we will get it right next time.”