Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has warned his new teammates to expect a 'baptism of fire' when they kick off their campaign against newly-promoted West Ham on Saturday, reports The Mirror.

Villa new boys Ron Vlaar, Karim El Ahmadi and Brett Holmon could all be in line for their Premier League debuts against Sam Allardyce's side, and Given is keen to stress just how demanding playing a Sam Allardyce team can be.

The trio of Villa signings have arrived from Holland, with Vlaar and El Ahmadi signing from Feyenoord and Holmann signing from AZ Alkmaar. It remains to be seen how they will come to terms with a Sam Allardyce team, so soon after joining from the land of 'total football'.

Given said: “I know what is coming, because I have played against teams of Sam Allardyce before and even played for him.

“He is quite direct how he plays.

"Some of our new signings haven’t played in the Premier League and, coming from Holland, it is going to be a bit of a baptism of fire.

“We must be on top of our game as we’re going to a right den.”