Albert’s crackers but team-mates just adore him

ALBERT Adomah is already winning over his Aston Villa team-mates, despite enduring a minor setback following his switch from Middlesbrough to the Midlands.

The 28-year-old missed the games against Nottingham Forest and Brentford but played for the last 16 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Ipswich last weekend. Adomah could now make his first start against Newcastle on Saturday and his team-mates are looking forward to seeing him in action.

“It was good to see Albert come on,” said Jordan Amavi after the clash at Portman Road. “We work with him every day in training. He’s a very good player – quick, sharp and skilful.”

Despite dropping down from the Premier League this summer, it’s games like Saturday’s Villa Park encounter that he lives for.

A somewhat eccentric character, the Ghanaian lives life to the full and appreciates every working day. Always smiling, occasionally dancing and forever optimistic, the silky-skilled ace is a rare breed.

He’s the life and soul of the training ground and certainly knows how to lift the spirits when the mood is low. One Villa source said: “He’s crackers, but in a good way! The lads love him.”

The winger thought long and hard before agreeing to join Villa. After all, he had just achieved his dream of playing in the top flight.

There was something special about Villa’s project, though.

“It felt like a Premier League club when I played here in the pre-season summer friendly and it still does now,” he said when signing on transfer deadline day.

Adomah has progressed to the top via the old-fashioned route of non-League football. He started at amateur club Old Meadonians ,then he was sponsored by BBC commentator John Motson during his time at Barnet.

There was no early academy football for the attacker, who was born in London but lived in Ghana with his grandmother until he was nine. Adomah even trained to be a painter and decorator in case he failed at football. Fortunately, he found other ways to light up the room.

Now his target is to shine at Villa Park this weekend.