Tammy Abraham has described his permanent return to Aston Villa as surreal, admitting it still feels unreal to be back in claret and blue after rejoining the club he helped propel back into the Premier League in 2019.
The 28-year-old striker, secured by Unai Emery from Besiktas on Tuesday, is embarking on a second spell at Villa Park after a prolific 2018/19 campaign that saw him score 26 goals in 40 appearances.
Now older, more experienced and battle-hardened by spells across Europe, Abraham is eager to write a new chapter with a club that never left his heart.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Abraham admitted, in his first interview with VillaTV since returning.
“Since this first time I arrived here, I fell in love with the club. Ever since I left this club, I’ve pretty much watched every game, so I’ve been keeping track.
“We had an amazing season (in 2018/19), amazing outcome, and I always told myself (that) if I had to come back to England, Villa would be one of the special teams to come back to.
“I spoke it into existence, so I’m happy to be here. So many great memories, and I’m here now to create even more.
“I just can’t wait to meet everyone, to be back at Villa Park and seeing the crowd and seeing so many familiar faces. It’s exciting.”
As momentum builds ahead of his Villa Park return, the former Chelsea forward is determined to channel the lessons learned from Champions League and Conference League success into Emery’s ambitious project.
The striker believes the squad has the quality to compete on all fronts and is clear about his personal objectives.
He added: “I don’t think I can put that into words. I know it’s going to be emotional. Even though I only had a season here, it’s a club that means a lot to me, to my family as well.
“I think those are the pros about going away, learning different cultures and experiences. I feel like I left here as a boy and I’m definitely coming back as a man.
“I’d like to bring my experience to help the team as much as possible and achieve something with this club.
“I’ve played against most of the boys here, and I know a few of them also, so they’ve helped me settle in quickly.
“I just can’t wait to get out there on the pitch with them and make more memories.
“Right now, the world’s our oyster. We’ve got a good team, a good squad. I don’t think it’s out of reach to say we can push for every competition we’re in.
“I’m here and I want to win. I want to win trophies, so we have to push for every competition we’re in. I’m excited, I just can’t wait.”
With the forward now back where he once thrived, Villa fans will be hoping Abraham’s return sparks another defining chapter.
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