Pau Torres has spoken of his excitement for the campaign ahead having returned to pre-season training at Bodymoor Heath.
The centre-back reported back to Aston Villa’s training HQ on Monday along with a host of his team-mates to start 2024/25 preparations.
Torres, who announced over the summer he and his wife are expecting their first child, enjoyed his maiden season in claret in blue last term.
And it was one to remember as Villa celebrated a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League and secured Champions League football this season.
“It’s nice to see your team-mates again, speak about the summer and our experiences,” Torres told VillaTV.
“And start again with this amazing season we have in front.
“I’m really, really excited.”
Asked about the prospect of a gruelling pre-season ahead, Torres added: “It’s necessary to do it.
“As well, we now have six weeks in front of us to get back and to start again with the work we were doing last season.
“Spend time with our friends, our team-mates and it’s a good time in the year to prepare for next season.”
Villa get their pre-season campaign underway next Wednesday with the club’s annual summer fixture against Walsall.
A trip to Slovakia follows to face FC Spartak Trnava before our tour of the USA and matches against MLS Champions Columbus Crew, Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig and Liga MX Champions Club América.
Unai Emery’s charges then face Spanish side Athletic Club Bilbao prior to a trip to Signal Iduna Park to come up against Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.
With seven fixtures against demanding opposition, Torres admits “we need to be competitive during pre-season”.
And the Spaniard is looking forward to the 2024/25 campaign.
“We have a tough season in front of us, with a great challenge like the Champions League,” he said.
“So, we need to be ready, to be prepared, to play in the same way for all the competitions.
“The Premier League is so, so important and very tough and then during the first months we will play Champions League.
“We are excited and we want to play against big teams.”
You can watch Pau’s full interview below…
