Bjorn Engels: Aston Villa ready to go on the attack in Premier League

Dean Smith’s men maintained their 100 per cent pre-season record with a 4-1 win at Championship Charlton on Saturday.

Villa have scored 13 goals in four warm-up matches and new boy Engels, a £9million signing from Reims, has revealed how boss Smith is eager for his team to go on the attack in the top flight.

“When I spoke with the manager when joining he told me he wanted to play in the Premier League the same as they did in the Championship,” he said.

“Attacking football, that is our style of play. OK, you cannot compare (pre-season) with the Premier League.

“But games like Walsall and then Charlton, we have attacked the opposition and I think it is good. If we can play like this (in the Premier League) we will be very happy.”

Engels is among a host of summer recruits with Marvelous Nakamba, his former Club Brugge team-mate, expected to be the 11th signing of the transfer window in the coming days.

The centre-back revealed how more established members of the dressing room have been helping the new boys settle.

“It's OK and easy to settle with players like Jack Grealish,” he said. “To give an example, Jack and Conor (Hourihane), they are leaders of the team. James Chester as well.

“I really felt welcome as well, like the new players as well. It's very important to have that feeling.

“They just speak with you a lot, explain to you how important it is to play for Villa and to improve things, not only on the pitch.

“Every player comes to a new club with pressure to improve themselves. I want to play and so do the other new players. For every player it's different.”

Record £22million signing Wesley is expected to return to training tomorrow after missing the Charlton win with a muscle injury.