By Paul Brown

Andreas Weimann is relishing the prospect of taking on Valencia, after praising the perfect attacking trio who have helped him develop at Villa.

Weimann has been in impressive form in pre-season and is hoping to be involved as Villa take on Valencia on Friday - kick-off 7.45pm.

He says this improvement has come about as a result of training with Villa's trio of established forwards, all renowned for possessing different key attributes.

The Austrian ace has been thoroughly impressed with Gabby Agbonlahor's pace, John Carew's hold-up play and Emile Heskey's aerial ability.

He is banking on all these elements combining to help him make the grade under Martin O'Neill.

He said: "John, Emile and Gabby are all great strikers and Nathan too. I couldn't wish for any better forwards to develop alongside than them.

"They can help you in training, no question, and you just try to do what they do and you can improve from that.

"All three are class strikers - and all have their own best attributes.

"Everybody knows Gabby's pace, John can hold the ball up really well and Emile is good in the air - he works so hard for the team - so everybody has got different attributes and I'm learning a lot from that.

"I think I'm improving. I had a good season last time in the reserves. I think I am a bit further on than last season now.

"After the Walsall match the manager said I had a good game - that gave me a boost. I scored two goals so I did my best and hopefully I impressed the gaffer so let's see what happens going-forward.

"It was my only game before Portugal as I had been away with Austria Under-19s."

Weimann also revealed his delight in wearing the number nine shirt in pre-season - a top associated with classic Villa strikers of the past like Dean Saunders and Juan Pablo Angel.

The fab forward hopes it inspires him to have a good season in claret and blue this season.

He added: "Obviously it's an honour to wear the number nine shirt. I don't think I will have it during the season - I am just happy to wear it now.

"I am going to give it my best for the whole season. Maybe I can get it into a few squads and we will see how it goes from there.

"Hopefully I can get a few games in the cup and perhaps in the Europa League."