Ron Vlaar has been reflecting on his time at Aston Villa as he returned to his old stomping ground ahead of AZ Alkmaar’s visit in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
The former centre-back represented both clubs during his playing days, including Aston Villa for a three-year period, before he left in 2015.
That was a very difficult time for all associated with the club, as relegation followed 12 months after Ron Vlaar’s departure – he proceeded to join AZ and ended his career at the Dutch giants.
And now, the player dubbed ‘concrete’ by fans was back on the Villa Park pitch ahead of tonight’s game, as he told the club’s official website that it ‘still breathes football’.
Ron Vlaar added that he was ‘proud’ to have been part of Villa’s history, even though those were very difficult times, but things are far better now.
You would assume that Ron Vlaar is going to be brought onto the pitch at half-time tonight, and hopefully, he will get a warm reception from the fans because, during a dark period for the club, he was one who could hold his head up high.
Ron Vlaar back at Villa Park
“It has been a while,” said Vlaar. “I left the club, what eight years ago? Over eight years. But it’s still the same. It still breathes football. That’s what I felt when I first came here, so that hasn’t changed.
“I was looking forward to this game, for a long time actually, and now that I am here it’s even better. It brings back a lot of very good memories. I am proud I have been part of a small part of this club’s history and to be back on this pitch it’s amazing actually.”
Villa looking to reach the knockout stages
After the opening night defeat in Poland, things are looking far better for Unai Emery and the boys in Europe, as you would assume we will see past AZ Alkmaar here – Leon Bailey has been backed to start ahead of Nicolò Zaniolo.
It was an effortless three points during the reverse fixture, with Villa sitting second in Group E and in with a chance of going top if three points are scored and Legia drop points against Zrinjski.
Whilst a win here doesn’t book the ticket to the knockout stages, it does put one foot into the next round and also all but ends AZ’s chances of progressing.
So, you assume they will come at us tonight because, in their own backyard, at first they decided against pressing us, before doing a bit of both and getting ripped apart.
Time to react to that very under-par and disappointing 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest over the weekend.
