Williams: Koeman can make me better than ever

Ashley Williams is relishing the thought of learning from one of the best centre-halves to ever to play the game, after signing for Everton in the summer.

The 32-year-old has made three appearances for the Toffees since his arrival from Swansea, helping to preserve a clean sheet last time out against Stoke City in a 1-0 victory.

Having risen from non-league football and won the League Cup with the Swans, the highlight of Williams’ career so far arguably came in the summer he skippered Wales all the way to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

But under Everton boss Ronald Koeman, who he cites as one of the key reasons he joined the club, Williams is confident the best is yet to come.

“It’s too soon to pick out any one thing I’ve gained from working with Ronald Koeman,” he said.

“But he is one of the best centre-halves who ever played and I am going to be a sponge to learn from him and try to take in as much as I can of his knowledge.

“Ask me later in the season and I hope I’ll be able to tell you more, but right now I am trying to settle in and find my way into his system.

“I’d like to think the move can extend my career. I wanted to stretch myself and have a new challenge.

“When you go to a new place and you are the new boy you have to try to impress everyone and get your head down and start from scratch.

“I have been working hard in training to try to get up to speed and get my body in good shape, and hopefully that will stand me in good stead for Wales this week.”