Aston Villa teenager who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo continues to turn heads in pre-season

Kosta Nedeljkovic joined Aston Villa in a deal worth £6.5million plus add-ons from Serbian champions Crvena Zvezda

Despite only turning 18 back in December, Kosta Nedeljkovic is in a hurry to become one of the best players around in his position.

After signing for Aston Villa in January, but staying at Crvena Zvezda on loan for the second half of last season, the right-back moved to England and started training at Bodymoor Heath at the start of last month. Nedeljkovic has turned heads in pre-season after impressing in all four of Villa’s friendlies so far, including two in the USA.

“For me, it’s a new club and new challenges, I signed a contract in January and I’ve been over to England three times since then,” Nedeljkovic told the club website. “I came over in July and it’s not like I’m a new player – I know the staff and the players, so that was important.

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“Every day my English is getting better and I’m having lessons. I’m getting on very well with my teammates and I’m playing with some of the best players in the world. We have a good team of good guys and there is a good atmosphere after training.

“Aston Villa is one of the best clubs in the Premier League and in the world and I’ve watched them for many years since I was a kid. My family were very proud of me and the club has shown trust in me, so I must give 100 per cent to make it go in the best possible way.

“The Premier League, for me, is the best. There are many leagues in the world but the Premier League is the one everyone knows and watches on TV.”

Facing a first Premier League season could be daunting for some teenagers, especially after moving country, but Nedeljkovic is taking it all in his stride after already making great sacrifices to get to where he is today.

“I’m not scared because I know that, yes I’m from Serbia, but I’m coming to a new family,” he added. “I have good friends here and I’ve only been here for three weeks. I know after three or four months it will be much better for me and my family.

“People in the club have accepted us like we’re in Serbia. I know that football is about sacrifices and that you must make them. After 10-15 years, you will have a good life but you must make sacrifices every day. You need to work hard on the training ground and play good.

“My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo because of his mentality. I try to have a mentality like him with the way I train every day and having belief in myself. I’m not the best but I give 100 per cent and will push myself to one day be the best.

“In the Premier League, Kyle Walker is a top right-back; he’s very strong, he’s very fast. I’m a very offensive player, so I compare myself to Theo Hernandez.”

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Champions League, you’re having a laugh!

Yes, Aston Villa are competing in European football’s premium competition this season and, yes, the claret and blue faithful are having a rather contented chuckle to themselves.

Just five years after being reinstated to the top flight following a Championship play-off final victory over Derby County at Wembley, Villa have gatecrashed the established elite and are hellbent on keeping their place at the top table.

With PSR, FFP and other financial acronyms proving to be more challenging opponents than many of their Premeir League rivals last season, the powers-that-be at Villa Park have been doing some calculated wheeling and dealing this summer.

Losing Douglas Luiz to balance the books has been the biggest blow so far, but Villa’s disappointment at the Brazilian midfielder’s move to Juventus is offset by the arrivals from the Turin club of Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior.

Then there’s the exciting capture of Chelsea’s Borussia Dortmund Championship League finalist Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley’s return to Witton after a productive spell at Luton Town, with plenty more transfer movement to come.

Amadou Onana’s impending signing from Everton is set to be another major coup for Villa while talented rookie Jaden Philogene-Bidace has been to Hull and back with the prospect of plenty unfinished business in claret and blue when his homecoming is completed.

Having fast-tracked Villa from Premier League also-rans to Champions League competitors within his first 18 months, Emery is determined to maintain the pace of progress.

Being competitive in Europe will be a key priority as will cementing the club’s status in the higher echelons of the top flight. Another top four finish is a big ask, especially with Villa fans crying out for a first trophy in almost three decades but Emery thrives on the expectation and positively encourages the Villa Park masses to dream.

Whichever way you look at it, this is a great time to be an Aston Villa fan and to celebrate the optimism in B6 we’ve produced our Aston Villa 2024-25 Kick Off special, our brilliant guide to the new season.

Our man at Villa, John Townley, will waltz you through what to expect from Villa in 2024/25, turn the spotlight on Emery, run the rule over the new signings and pinpoint the ones to watch who could be key to success.

Our club-by-club guides give you the lowdown on Villa’s Premier League rivals and the managers in the division, while our away days pages will tell you all you need to know about the grounds Villa will be visiting.

With a full fixture list and key dates for the campaign, Aston Villa 2024-25 Kick-Off will get you back in perfect match shape in time for Villa’s opening day curtain-raiser at West Ham on Saturday, August 17.

On sale in selected independent retailers and supermarkets in Birmingham priced £3.50 from Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Worldwide shipping available, postage and packaging applies.