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Former Aston Villa player Ashley Westwood has opened up on the struggles he endured during his time spent at Villa Park.

Westwood admitted that it almost became too much during his final year at the Villa, before he moved to Burnley.

A highly-rated Crewe Alexandra academy graduate, Westwood moved to Villa in 2012 in a £2 million transfer.

While some of his performances earned acclaim - Westwood was a mobile and sensible passer from a fairly young age in the middle of the park for the Villa, he couldn't escape the quagmire that the club became involved in.

Despite his professional attitude, Villa were unable to push forward and sank into the Championship - shortly before Villa sold Westwood to Burnley.

He made 137 appearances for the club and it is during the more recent of those that the player fell into depression, struggling with the comments he was receiving from fans.

As part of Villa's midfield, he came in for many of the same criticisms aimed at his successors in the role - namely Conor Hourihane, Danny Drinkwater and Douglas Luiz.

Westwood realised how affected he was after making the move from Villa, noticing that he was drinking more, and hiding away from the public eye, fearing Villa supporters.

“It was only when I joined Burnley that I realised how bad a place I was in,” said Westwood, speaking to the Telegraph“I’d keep it all inside, locked away, trying to show a hard face but my wife knew I was unhappy.

“We had a little group of us who’d have a drink after a game. I’d have a carafe of red wine but it’d end up being two bottles. I wouldn’t say I was turning into an alcoholic but I was never really a player who’d drink.

"I’d never drink in the house but now I didn’t want to go out. I’d get home after getting beat and didn’t want to be seen out because fans would turn on you and I’d end up drinking red wine at home.

"Rebecca was really worried about me at times. She’d ask: ‘Are you all right?’. And I’d just say: ‘Yeah, I’m fine’. But I wasn’t.

"It was an instant release coming to Burnley.”

Westwood is happier at Burnley, and is doing well. He's also scored two goals directly from corner kicks - ironically.

A common criticism of his abilities at Villa were aimed at his set-piece accuracy.

Westwood's admission that he feared the retribution of fans, should perhaps be a further indication of the vocal power and presence that fanbases hold - as well as the press - over the wellbeing of players.