By Dan Harrison

Matthew Lowton wants to follow in the footsteps of close pal Kyle Walker by becoming a huge hit at Villa Park.

Walker enjoyed a successful six-month loan spell at Villa under former boss Gerard Houllier during the 2010-11 campaign.

And Lowton is hoping to make a similar impact to the Tottenham Hotspur ace after completing a switch to B6 from Sheffield United.

The 23-year-old is close friends with fellow right-back Walker, as both players came through the youth ranks at Bramall Lane.

The Blades have produced several top full-backs in recent seasons - another being Kyle Naughton who flourished under Villa manager Paul Lambert at his previous club Norwich City.

"They have produced some fantastic players over the years - look at the two Kyles," said Lowton.

"They are both doing fantastic and both came through the same academy as I did and played in the same teams as me when I was younger so hopefully I can follow in their footsteps."

Lowton watched from the stands as Walker made a stunning goalscoring debut for Villa against the Blades in the FA Cup in January 2011.

The Chesterfield-born defender admits he is planning to put a call in to the former claret and blues loanee to find out more about life at Villa Park.

"It was a fantastic goal and it was written in the stars really, Kyle coming back to Bramall Lane and scoring a goal like that," added Lowton.

"Hopefully I can follow in the footsteps of what he has done.

"I haven't spoken to him yet. It has been a quiet one really but I think I will give him a call about things - the surrounding area, things to do, what the stadium is like.

"We still talk so I know that he will help me out. It is nice to have somebody that has been here before who I know."

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