By Abdul Kashif

Juan Pablo Angel has revealed his delight at seeing Villa challenge in the top reaches of the Barclays Premier League.

Hero JPA admits he is still claret and blue at heart and has been thrilled by the club's progress this season.

He said: "I do miss the club. I follow them every day I'm extremely pleased to see the team doing as well as they are right now.

"It was probably the best time to be at Villa when I left but on the other hand I spend six and a half years there and I thought it was time for me to move on.

"Villa have some really fast players who are great at counter-attacking and the team is so tough to play against.

"If you want to be successful, you have to have an identity and people are certainly taking notice of Villa all over the world right now."

Stay tuned to www.avfc.co.uk tomorrow to hear more from the former Holte End hero. To read the full interview, pick up a copy of Claret & Blue magazine.