European Knights

No not of the Round Table, it's the Zattish sort. After seeing and experiencing Euro nights from the stands as a wee kiddy, Zat Knight is relishing the chance to experience them from the pitch.

We all know Zat is a Villan, and that as a youngster he spent many an hour freezing his nuts off in the stands, but speaking on the official site he revealed Martin O'Neill was adamant about gaining European qualification when he was tempted from Fulham, and that now it's a reality.

'I experienced some great European nights at Villa Park as a young kid on the terraces so to have the possibility of going through it as a player is a dream.

'That's why I came here. I believed in Martin O'Neill when he said he wanted European football - and that's a reality now.

'I saw some great games as a fan - the Inter Milan in 1994 one stands out - and hopefully we can help recreate those sort of atmospheres again.'

Knight believes our home form will be crucial if we hope to progress, and like O'Neill picks out the opener against Ajax as being pivotal.

'We are delighted to start the group stages at home - and to have a big game like Ajax is the icing on the cake.

'They are one of the best teams in Europe - they are young and exciting and they have some emerging talent coming through.

'The serious business starts now. Being here now is what all the hard work last season was about. We need to win our home games and hopefully pick up some on the road too.

'The Villa Park games are key. If we can pick up six points from the two games against Ajax and Zilina, it would put us in a very strong position.'

6 points at home, and 6 points away from home would certainly keep me happy.

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