Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger has backed Joe Cole for great success.
Cole moved to Villa last week from West Ham United.
Hitzlsperger told Villa's website: "He will be fantastic for Villa - I have no doubt about that.
"The experience he brings is a key factor. I had great admiration for Paul Lambert with his philosophy of bringing in young players and developing them. Now is the next stage - bringing in a little more experience for the good of the group.
"Saying all that, there's no point having an older guy in there with bags of experience if he's not delivering for the team. Joe knows that he needs to get back to his best too. He will be aware of that, I'm sure.
"He has to prove himself all over again but I am sure he will be really motivated and I am sure he will prove himself. He's that sort of football - someone who takes the business of being a footballer very seriously."
