The Iceland international joined Villa from Basel on Wednesday.
New Aston Villa signing Birkir Bjarnason has told the Birmingham Mail that his speed and ability to run for 90 minutes will hopefully endear him to supporters.
The Iceland international midfielder joined Villa on Wednesday from Swiss giants Basel to become the club’s third signing of the January window.
The 28-year-old has also played in Italy and Belgium during his career to date, as well as winning over half a century of caps for his country, for whom he scored the first ever major tournament goal at Euro 2016 last summer.
Bjarnason can play across the midfield, a versatility enabled in no small part by his fitness and endurance.
He revealed to the Birmingham Mail that Steve Bruce and Villa’s ambitions played a big role in his move, and added that he hopes his workman-like tendencies and winning mentality will see him become a big hit at Villa Park.
Bjarnason said: “I talked to the manager and quickly found out that the club’s ambitions match mine. I also heard he likes runners and I run a lot! Both forward and backwards. The more you run, the better you play. It’s one of my big qualities and I’m looking forward to getting started.
“I am used to a great spirit in the Iceland team. That’s important to bring a group together and hopefully we can get that here too. Our national team were used to losing and we changed it around. We hardly lose any more and when we do, it is horrible. We hate losing.
“At Basel they are used to winning and I won the league last season. Hopefully I can be part of helping a winning mentality here as well. It’s always been my dream to play in England and in the Premier League. I hope we can get back there because I remember Aston Villa only as Premier League club.”
Villa desperately needed to strengthen their midfield options this month, and the signings of Bjarnason and Lansbury have gone a long way to rectifying that issue.
Bjarnason’s first game in a Villa shirt will likely be the club’s next, a trip to Brentford next Tuesday.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
