Torres salutes fans’ support

Aston Villa centre-back Pau Torres has hailed the “fantastic” support of the club’s fans and stressed “we feel strong with them”.

The Spain international has thrived since joining Villa in the summer and impressed in his 13 appearances at the heart of defence.

It comes having previously spent his career to date in his home country, largely plying his trade in La Liga for hometown club Villarreal.

Torres is enjoying life in the Premier League and, after last weekend’s win over Luton Town, tweeted on social media ‘Nothing but love for this competition #PL’.

And he has saluted the club’s supporters for their backing, while also discussing how he has found England’s top flight.

“Here the game is more physical, the referees allow more contact, so the game never stops and you can feel it on the pitch,” he told VillaTV.

“The support of our supporters and fans is always fantastic.”

Asked about his social media post, he added: “For me it’s a good experience.

“I always (like to) play at Villa Park. And when we go to play away, you can feel the support of the fans, there’s always 3,000 Villa fans in the games away.

“So, it’s good for us because at the end of the season, your fans can give you extra points and we can feel it, we feel strong with them.”

The ease with which Torres has settled is testament to his character, those around him and also the environment at the club.

The 26-year-old earlier this week posted a Halloween fancy dress pic of himself as a character from hit Birmingham-based TV show Peaky Blinders.

And he paid tribute to Villa team-mates and staff for helping his smooth transition since joining in mid-July.

“For me, these first months have been really good,” he said.

“My team-mates have made these few months easier for me.

“And it was good to know Unai and his staff before in Villarreal because my first months with them were great.”

Torres has helped Villa record a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions, adding to the stunning sequence of 12 successive home league wins at Villa Park.

His goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux helped secure a 1-1 draw in the club’s last league match on their travels.

Torres acknowledges it is always difficult to play away from home and is expecting “a tough game” on Sunday as Unai Emery’s side travel to Nottingham Forest.

But he insists hard work will continue to stand Villa in good stead.

“This season we have continued this great form of the team from last season at home, 12 wins in a row,” he said.

“We need to keep working, keep improving our style, our structure to continue with this great form.”

You can watch Pau's full interview below...