Westwood wants new beginning with Clarets

Ashley Westwood is targeting a fresh start after securing a return to the Premier League with Burnley for an undisclosed fee.

The midfielder, 26, signed a three-and-a-half year deal for the Clarets having spent more than four years in the West Midlands.

Westwood was part of the Villa squad relegated to the Championship last season and the club have struggled with just eight league wins from 27 games.

And the 26-year-old was delighted to return to the Premier League and fit into a squad full of English talent.

“It’s happened fast but I’ve been made to feel very welcome and I can’t wait to get going,” he said.

“It feels like a proper football club and homely and that’s what I like. I like to be appreciated and I think I will definitely get that here.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“The manager at Villa said I could speak to Burnley and for me that was perfect – a fresh start because things had got a bit stale at Villa.

“It’s a fresh start and I want to show people what I can really do.

“I have watched Burnley and they look a bunch of people who work hard and have definitely got enough talent and hopefully I can add to that.

“For any club to stay in the Premier League is a big achievement. Burnley are doing very well and hopefully that can keep improving.”