Angel at home with the O'Neill regime

14 April 2012

Juan Pablo Angel feels loved once more and is looking forward to the good times at Aston Villa. After all, he feels he has earned them.

After quitting Argentine giants River Plate nearly six years ago with a hefty £9.5million transfer fee to justify, the striker has endured, rather than enjoyed, his time in Birmingham.

Shortly after signing for John Gregory, Angel's wife fell seriously ill after giving birth to their first son. No sooner had they overcome that nightmare than his move became the subject of a Football Association investigation.

Then, after finally proving his worth and winning himself a new contract, a knee injury sparked rumours that the Colombian had only shown up to pen a new deal.

The one-time golden boy of Argentine football can finally start smiling again now as he settles into the regime of his fourth Villa manager, Martin O'Neill.

He said: "I was back in Colombia with my wife and two sons during the summer and one of the boys turned to me and said: 'Can we go home now, please?'

"It wasn't until then that I realised just what this country meant to them. It wasn't always like that. When I first came, Villa weren't prepared for a South American and I probably wasn't ready for them.

"There was nothing set up. I was on my own and I struggled. I didn't speak the language at all and it took me over a year just to understand what was going on around me.

"The team weren't doing well and I found it difficult to adjust. I spoke to Seba Veron and he said Manchester United did everything for him. He had someone help him open a bank account, find a school for his kids, and a house - and also explain what the council tax is!

"For me, there wasn't anyone. For South American players it is harder because we naturally look towards the Spanish and Italian leagues because of their Latin origins.

"When I sat with my wife and asked her if we should come, I had a feeling we wouldn't regret it. It has been hard at times but there are not many South American players who have been here for so long.

"I like my life here. Footballers in South America don't get the time we do. As a player there, you spend more time in hotels and travelling.

"We were in a camp with the other players. I saw my wife for one day a week. It's better here. I like the schools, I see my wife, you have more freedom.

"Now I have a British passport as well as Colombian. My kids speak English and Spanish and will be citizens of the world. I respect and like the culture here and just want to get on with playing my football."

Angel's best season came in David O'Leary's first when he hit 23 goals. After struggling during the last campaign when he scored just three times in 37 games, he has come flying out of the blocks under O'Neill. His goal at Leicester in midweek was his fifth of the season - excluding that header into his own net against Spurs!

Having turned down a move to Newcastle in the summer for a variety of reasons, Angel was not to know that O'Neill would come into his life just six weeks later, backed with the -millions of a credit card magnate to change the face of Villa.

Angel said: "I wish these changes had happened when I was 23, not 30, though I really appreciate every single minute that I've been here, personally and professionally. You definitely learn.

"Now I really am settled I want to be a part of what is going to happen at Villa," said Angel. "It has been a good start at the moment. Nothing more.

"I feel appreciated again, I feel wanted again. Yes, I feel loved again. The manager has the ability to tap into a player's state of mind. It's that winning mentality that he has. We respect him and want to play for him.

"When you feel like that, it's easier to perform. Then you start to think that the rest of the players believe in you again, and I know what I'm capable of when I'm feeling good.

"You can tell it's the same for a few of the lads. They are playing at a higher level than they were last year, but they are the same players.

"You know what I'm saying, don't you? I had a miserable last year. I didn't want another one like that."

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