Source: Team_Talk
Zog ready to fill Villa void
ew Aston Villa signing Charles N'Zogbia says he will have "no problem" stepping into the shoes of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing.[LNB] The pair joined Manchester United and Liverpool respectively for a combined total of around £35million and N'Zogbia - signed as a replacement for a fee reportedly around £9.5m - sees their departures as an opportunity.[LNB]"We've lost two good players and we have to recover what we've lost," he said. "I've been working hard for the last two seasons, and I know I can replace them, no problem, if I'm 100 per cent.[LNB]"I can show people how good I am and what I can do so for me it's a great opportunity."[LNB]Despite a long and drawn-out transfer saga with Wigan, N'Zogbia insists there is no animosity between himself and his former club.[LNB]"The chairman (Dave Whelan) was happy for me, having played for them for two years," the France international said.[LNB]"He said I have done enough for the club and he wanted for me to have a big challenge and find a new club.[LNB]"I gave 100 per cent at Wigan and I was really happy there. It was a club that really pushed me.[LNB]"Now I have got a bigger challenge and I hope I'm going to do well."[LNB]Villa boss Alex McLeish tried to sign N'Zogbia last summer, while he was in charge of Birmingham City, but the club and player could not agree on personal terms.[LNB]The Frenchman believes that McLeish's lengthy pursuit of his services will help him to settle in quickly.[LNB]"That gives me confidence, and it also shows there's a respect between us," N'Zogbia said.[LNB]"He's a good manager and I can't wait to work for him."[LNB]Villa are hoping that N'Zogbia will be able to take part in tomorrow's friendly against Portuguese side Braga before making his league debut at Fulham next weekend.[LNB]He said: "I hope so, I've been working really hard for two or three weeks so I'm just waiting to play games and get to Premier League fitness level.[LNB]"I've been training and working hard and I just need more games now. You can feel it on the pitch if you're tired, but I'm not."[LNB]The 25-year-old, who scored five goals in the last seven games of the 2010-11 season to help Wigan beat the drop, believes his new team can achieve much bigger things this year.[LNB]He said: "Top six would be a good challenge, and we definitely have the players to do that."
