By Dan Harrison

Matthew Lowton is 'Hungary' to succeed at Villa - after pinpointing a loan spell at Ferencvaros as a signficant turning point in his career.

Lowton admits his temporary stint with the Hungarian outfit in 2009 played a big part in his development on and off the field.

The full-back was able to take advantage of former club Sheffield United's links with Ferencvaros to gain valuable first team experience.

He made 18 appearances for Budapest-based side and helped them win promotion back to the top-flight.

And Lowton reckons his time in Hungary helped him grow up as a player and as a person.

"I was playing reserve football a lot of the time and the gaffer at the time said he wanted to send me over there to play first team football," said Lowton.

"I moved out there when I was 17. I had to live on my own, fend for myself and then play first team football.

"So it definitely helped me grow up, get used to first team games, bigger crowds and getting three points, things like that.

"It definitely helped me and is probably why I am where I am now."

Lowton went on to break into the first team at Bramall Lane and was an ever-present in Danny Wilson's side last term.

He was part of the Blades team that suffered play-off heartbreak against Huddersfield at Wembley in May.

But the 23-year-old hopes that big-game experience will stand him in good stead for the future.

"Big experiences like that, big games, you definitely learn a lot," he added.

"I learned a lot from Wembley playing there in front of massive crowds.

"I think the disappointments you learn from more because you want to be where the other guys are.

"So hopefully this season we'll have some success."

Lowton admits he has had to adapt mentally since making his Villa switch after initially being blown away by making the big leap from League One.

"I was overwhelmed the first time I saw the training ground, if I'm honest, with the standard of the facilities," he admitted.

"The players in the dressing room, the manager, everything is higher profile and it just seems surreal.

"Seeing the manager and hearing his ambitions for the club with him bringing in new signings already, hopefully we can help the club put last season behind them and move on and get back up in the top half of the Premier League.

"It is daunting, it's fantastic to even meet players like the lads here, but I've got the chance to play with them.

"As much as they're massive names I need to get over that kind of thinking pretty quickly. I don't want to be thinking that when I'm playing with them,

"I need to get into the right frame of mind to play with them and hopefully I can fit in with them and do well if I get the chance."

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