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Grant Holt admits he is still developing as a player under Villa boss Paul Lambert – even as the oldest player in the claret and blue dressing room.

The 32-year-old target man was recruited for his experience during the January transfer window on a loan deal from Championship club Wigan until the end of the season.

But, although the average age of Lambert’s squad is under 25, elder statesman Holt accepts he is still learning the game himself, especially at Premier League level.

“You never stop learning,” said Holt.

“It’s always different when you come into a new team.

“You’ve got to learn quickly. It’s going to take me a while to realise what certain people do, their different strengths, how different people play.

“That’s the only way you’ll get better by adapting to other people as well as looking after your own game.”

Holt is glad to be working with Lambert again, albeit on a temporary basis, having enjoyed three seasons of success with the Glaswegian gaffer at Norwich.

Lambert made Holt his captain at Carrow Road, and the well-travelled striker repaid his boss with three goal-laden seasons as the Canaries climbed from League One obscurity to Premier League respectability.

“He’s pretty similar to how he was at Norwich,” said Holt.

“You know what to expect from him. He expects a level of performance and of endeavour in training and in games and he’s not changed in that respect.

“If you don’t buy into that then you’re certainly not part of his thoughts. You’ve got to get there quickly, do things right and get up to speed.”

Having suffered an injury early in his Wigan career and become a peripheral figure with the Latics – scoring just two goals in 21 appearances – Holt already feels like one of the lads at Villa.

He has made three substitute appearances in the draw at Liverpool, win over West Bromwich Albion and defeat to West Bromwich Albion, as well as starting in the Premier League loss at Everton.

Holt is still waiting to open his claret and blues account and is set to be involved when Villa resume their Premier League campaign at Newcastle next Sunday after warm weather training in Portugal.

“It’s been fantastic, the lads have been welcoming and I’ve settled in well,” he said. “I’m just enjoying it really.

“I’m glad to be involved with a bunch of lads who want to win games. The group that the gaffer’s got here are fit and strong and that’s what kind of side he likes. It’s nice to be part of something.

“To be back involved in the Premier League has given me that bit of belief. I hadn’t started a game for three months before I came here so it’s about finding your feet and keeping going and I’ve been happy with my performances.”

Holt was not the only short-term addition to Lambert’s squad during the January transfer window, with defender Ryan Bertrand also arriving on a loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.

Bertrand, a Champions League winner with the Stamford Bridge club the season before last, will thrive at Villa alongside like-minded ambitious young players, according to wise veteran Holt.

“The thing with Ryan is he’s won the highest honour you can get,” said Holt.

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“He’s won the Champions League and played for Chelsea and you don’t get to do those things if you’re not a very talented player.

“I think everyone knows that he is. In his time at Chelsea, he hasn’t had the run of games that he wants and he’s had some good loan moves.

“I think this will be a fabulous move for him. He’s come into a bunch of young lads who are looking for the same thing as he is and his performances have been excellent.”