By Paul Brown
Joe Bennett has revealed Saturday will be his first-ever visit to Villa Park.
Bennett insists seeing is believing as he finally gets chance to sample the awesome atmosphere in B6 this weekend as Villa take on Swansea.
The reliable left-back has watched games at our historic home on television over the years, describing it as "absolute quality."
But he thinks nothing substitutes for being there in the flesh.
He said: "I've never been to Villa Park before. In fact, the biggest crowd I have played in front of was on my Premier League debut for Middlesbrough at West Ham.
"I have never been to Villa Park ever. It looks a massive stadium. I haven't even been to look around.
"I have seen it on television. It looks a big stadium. It looks absolutely quality.
"But matchday will be my first time there in the flesh. That will be exciting.
"If the gaffer picks me, it will be one of the best days of my life. If it's full, all the better.
"Hopefully we can give the fans something to shout out."
Bennett appreciates more than most the quality of Swansea, having come up against them in the Championship while with Middlesbrough.
He knows the difficulty of the task, especially personally, with Nathan Dyer his likely foe if selected to play at left-back.
He added: "Swansea are a passing team, they have been like that for a long time. They are a very good team with a really good manager.
"The manager has brought in some really good players. They have Nathan Dyer. They sold Scott Sinclair. But I think the base of the side is still there.
"They are a bit like Barcelona. A lot of people compare them. They press when they don't have the ball but they do keep the ball well for a lot of the game. It will be a tough match.
"But I don't think they are as good away from home as they are at home. But obviously it will be a tough game.
"The prospect of playing doesn't intimidate me. Obviously you have to go out and do the best you can. I have played against Nathan before. He is an unbelievable player.
"He's so quick, it's frightening really. I played against him the season they went up at home and away, in direct opposition. It went okay."
Snap up tickets for the game against Swansea - click here.
