Kortney Hause traded gold and black for claret and blue when he moved across the midlands to join Aston Villa permanently in July 2019.
The defender had arrived from Wolves six months earlier, initially on loan, helping restore the club to the Premier League.
And as he prepares to come face-to-face with his old team at Villa Park on Saturday, Hause has reflected on his decision to join Villa and the journey since.
He said: “When I came from Wolves I’d spoken to the manager and Christian Purslow and they had a plan. Villa’s a big club and they shouldn’t have been in the Championship.
“I came here with a goal to get the club into the Premier League and get them fighting to get into Europe.
“I knew what I was coming into and I knew what I was getting into. I was all for it because I want to do big things in my career as well.”
Hause added: “It’s been a weird one since I joined Villa – there have been ups but there’s also been downs. We struggled the first year in the Premier League.
“It’s part of the process and we’re still striving for greatness. It’s been up and down, but I’m grateful for where we are at the moment and we’re still looking to kick on.”
Before the international break, the 26-year-old started Villa’s last three games - all away from home - and made his mark with a clean sheet and a goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
And as Dean Smith's team prepare to return to Villa Park for the visit of Wolves, Hause believes the home supporters can give their team the edge on derby day.
He said: “The fans at Villa Park on a matchday create a great atmosphere and they’re the 12th man for us.
“To have them backing us, creating a noise and an atmosphere will definitely be an advantage for us.
“It’s only right we repay them with performances and victories at home.”
