Ron Vlaar

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Ron Vlaar skippered Villa to victory at Carrow Road last weekend.

He will be hopeful of leading the claret and blues to another positive result this weekend to secure Barclays Premier League safety.

WHAT HE SAID

I dream about lifting a trophy with Villa. To play at Wembley would be amazing.

Being made Villa captain makes me very proud and I'm very happy with that.

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.

I play with a lot of passion. I just want to win every game, no matter what.

WHAT OTHERS SAID

Marc Albrighton: First up, Ron is a great footballer. He's been absolutely brilliant since he's come in. Second, he's a role model to the young players - in every way. Everything he does is just so professional.

Ciaran Clark: Ron is not only a good player, he's a good guy too. He's a big presence for us on the pitch and he seems to be a fan favourite already!

Gabby Agbonlahor: Ron is a really good player and a really nice guy. He's a very strong defender who is excellent doing his job at the back. But he's also excellent on the ball too. He's very adept at playing the ball out from the back. He's very skilful.

Andreas Weimann: I think they call him Concrete Ron don't they? You can see why! I have to take it a bit easy on the weights but he lifts really high.

MINI PROFILE

Ron Vlaar continued Villa's Dutch connection when he completed his transfer on August 1, 2012.

Vlaar followed former Feyenoord team-mate Karim El Ahmadi and ex-AZ Alkmaar attacker Brett Holman to Villa Park when he became the club's fourth summer signing.

The commanding central defender became at cult hero for Feyenoord, who he helped achieve Champions League qualification with a second place finished in the Eredivisie in 2011-12.

Vlaar began his professional career at AZ Alkmaar, making his debut at the age of 20.

However, he struggled to hold down a regular first team spot at AZ and in 2006 he moved to Feyenoord.

His debut for the Rotterdam club came in January 2006.

Vlaar became a regular fixture in defence until the beginning of the 2008-09 season when he sustained medial collateral ligament and cruciate ligament injuries.

It meant the defender, known as Concrete Ron, was sidelines for two full seasons.

But it did not deter Vlaar, who made a strong comeback in 2009-10.

He formed a solid partnership with Brazilian central defender Andre Bahia.

Vlaar's leadership qualities really came to the fore in 2011-12 as he captained Feyenoord to second place in the Dutch top-flight and qualification for the following season's Champions League.

Vlaar made his first appearance for the Holland national team in October 2005 against the Czech Republic.

After overcoming his injury problems, he was recalled by coach Bert van Marwijk in 2010.

He also received a call-up for the Holland squad for Euro 2012.

INTERESTING FACT

Hollywood actor and Villa fan Bob Stephenson, who appeared in Seven, Fight Club and Con Air, believes Ron Vlaar has a career ahead of him as a movie action man. He said: "Hearing Ron's accent before snapping someone's neck...now that's a film I'd love to see."