Leon Goretzka has opened up about his decision to join Aston Villa and why he is excited by the club's rebuild

Leon Goretzka admits his start at Aston Villa was far from easy, but insists he made the right decision in joining the club’s rebuild, claiming he is seeing signs of progress every day.

Villa lost more than half of the starting XI that featured against SC Freiburg in the Europa League final and recruited 10 new players, many of whom lowered the squad’s average age as the club made a conscious effort to bring in younger talent.

Goretzka was an exception, with his top-level experience a key factor in Unai Emery’s decision to secure his services on a free transfer following his departure from Bayern Munich at the end of last season.

The midfielder, however, suffered a knee injury last month and missed several weeks of action, delaying his start at the club before he finally made his long-awaited debut against Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Villa thrashed the Turkish giants 6-0, recording successive wins in emphatic fashion. The result also marked the biggest European victory in the club’s history.

Told of the record, Goretzka responded: “Really? It’s something about my debut! Everything feels really good. The team is really good, and it is kind of a rebuild, I think.

“We still need to find our new structure in the team, and I am happy to be part of it. Happy to be able to help now and in the next weeks and months. Everything feels better day to day, and I am excited to experience the next weeks.

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“I want to play a big role in the team and to help with my experience. We have many young, talented players, so I want to help them and rebuild the team. I really like the opportunity to be part of it - let’s see how we do this season.

“There is still lots of room for improvement, to be honest. If you see the first half [vs Fenerbahce], we conceded too many chances, in my opinion. That’s what the coach will do: find things to improve on each game. That’s what we will do with this game as well.”

Like Unai Emery, Goretzka is a perfectionist, striving to push the team's standards higher, even after a six-goal victory in Europe's elite club competition.

“Yes, he played a big role in my process of what I want to do," he said. "It was a longer journey during the break, to be honest. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, but he convinced me that this is the right move to do now. I think he was right.

“You can imagine that it was not the easiest start for me because of the injury I had. When you join a new club, you want to show that you are a good signing.

“I am really happy to be back on the pitch, especially here. It was a great atmosphere tonight and a really good win. It is lonely to be in the rehab, to be honest! They are great characters [teammates], and I had a very warm welcome.

“Obviously, I am one of the experienced players, and it is in my nature to be a leader. I have it in me. Like I said before, the first weeks weren’t so easy, so it is now up to me to be in good shape.

“I try to always see the positives, and I think that the Premier League is a bit different, so I used the last weeks to get ready for it and prepare myself. I think that I have done this, and now I feel better and better.”