Matthew Lowton has hailed Ron Vlaar's first year as a Premier League footballer.

The Dutch international joined Aston Villa from Feyenoord last July, taking over as club captain.

The defender told the club's official website: "Ron has been telling me where to go and what to do and I've just accepted it to be honest because he's a big man and I don't want to cross him! But he's a fantastic defender and he has fitted in straight away.

"He's pulled me about and got me in position and things like that. A player with that experience, it automatically comes out and when you go on the pitch, he'll talk and he'll command the back four.

"I'm sure with the respect we've got for him then everything will come together and the clean sheets will come. I'm a talker on the pitch too. I like to think that I can help organising things also."

Vlaar made 27 league appearances for Villa last season.