By Paul Brown

Ron Vlaar plans to live up to his nickname of 'Concrete Ron' with some passionate performances for Villa.

Vlaar gained the solid moniker with his all-action displays at the back for Feyenoord and also for the way he bulked up during his time out injured.

The 27-year-old plans to be a rock of the claret and blue defence and give it "absolutely everything" to help Villa win games this season.

He said: "Yes it's right my nickname is Concrete Ron!

"I had some injuries in the past and I trained really hard to come back. I did some muscle training and came back very strong and after that, they gave me that nickname."

On being asked if the nickname suggests he's a tough cookie, he continued: "I think so, yes.

"I am a player who wants to win every fight and every game. I look forward to going against the new strikers I am not used to playing against.

"I play with a lot of passion. I just want to win every game, no matter what. I hope to bring that over to the other players and the crowd and then we can be very strong."

Good friend Karim El Ahmadi told Vlaar his game would be perfectly suited to the Barclays Premier League because of his combative nature.

He continued: "I talked to him a couple of times before I signed.

"He was saying that there's more physical strength and speed in the game than in Holland.

"He told me it that would suit my game. I talked to some other players who play in England and they said the same to me."

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