Anwar El Ghazi admits he struggled to adapt to the Championship | OneFootball

Aston Villa midfielder Anwar El Ghazi has admitted that he underestimated just how tough the Championship would be.

El Ghazi has spent the season on loan with the Villa Park outfit and has impressed with five goals and six assists in 34 appearances.

But the 24-year-old has conceded that he wasn’t completely prepared for the intensity of the league and could have done better in the Midlands.

“I spoke with other football players, Jose Fonte, Bruno Martins Indi, Ibrahim Afellay and they all told me it’s going to be very tough,” he told the Birmingham Mail.

“I was thinking, you know, I’ve played Champions League, I’ve played against big teams, it wouldn’t be so hard

“Now I know how physical this league is and it’s unbelievable. I’m really enjoying it now. We are in the flow now so that’s amazing.”

El Ghazi is on a season-long loan from French club Lille and the former Ajax youngster admits he struggled during his early days at Villa.

Asked how he would rate his contribution out of 10, he replied: “That’s a hard question. I think I would give me 6.5.

“I didn’t show the real El Ghazi yet I think I can be much better.”

Villa face Derby next weekend at Wembley in the play-off final