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Lee Hendrie is convinced Joe Cole can become a central character for Aston Villa – providing he is played in his best position by Paul Lambert.

Hendrie will see Cole at close quarters during this week’s Texas tour after joining the squad in the States in a meet-and-greet capacity.

The former Villa midfielder chatted to Cole during the flight from Heathrow to Dallas on Saturday and discussed the new boy’s favourite role.

Hendrie and Cole himself hopes the ex-West Ham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Lille playmaker will be used as a central No.10-style creator for Villa.

“I was speaking to Joe on the plane and he was saying he’s been playing in a lot of different positions over the last five or six years,” said Hendrie.

“As a player sometimes you get pushed out. He was saying about being at Chelsea and playing out wide.

“He likes to be more in that central role where we know he’s going to be effective and he’s going to create stuff.

“That’s what we’ve been crying out for. I said that to Joe, it would be great to see him in that central role trying to slip balls through and create a different dimension going forward, which we know he’s capable of.”

Mat Kendrick watched Joe Cole play 45 minutes against Mansfield Town

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Hendrie is encouraged that proven Premier League players including Cole and fellow new signings Philippe Senderos and Kieran Richardson will add some much-needed know-how to the squad.

“Joe was a little bit younger than me, but we know what he can do and with the experienced heads that have come in with Senderos and Richardson, they’re players that are only going to benefit the squad we’ve got,” said Hendrie.

“The two centre-halves with Ron Vlaar and Senderos will give us a solid backline and having Brad Guzan behind them is superb.”

Senderos linked up with the squad for the first time to fly to the States after a short break following World Cup duty with Switzerland.

Guzan was also given time off after being at Brazil 2014 with the U.S. national team and is set to join the group this week after a brief vacation in his homeland.

Vlaar is the main player conspicuous by his absence with the captain, who made the semi-finals with Holland, not due to report back until after the tour.

Speculation continues to surround the skipper’s future with new Southampton boss Ronald Koeman revealing he would like to sign his Dutch compatriot.

“Ron would definitely be an option,” said Koeman. “But I think he won’t be cheap right now. Let’s just wait and see.”

Villa arrived at their base at The Westin Stonebriar hotel in Frisco, Dallas, at the weekend ahead of Wednesday night’s friendly against FC Dallas.

They also play Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening and Hendrie admits the two Major League Soccer opponents should prove a useful test for Lambert’s squad.

“They will be good challenges,” said Hendrie, who will be meeting fans, playing in supporters’ matches and taking part in community events during the tour.

“The American league is pushing on, you’ve seen a lot of players heading over to play in the MLS, like Jermain Defoe.

“It’s picking up. The teams are starting to get a lot stronger. It’s better than playing the likes of League Two and League One clubs.”