Aston Villa veteran striker Gabriel Agbonlahor had words of praise for new team-mate Rudy Gestede’s ability in attach for the English Premier League club.

The praise for the Benin international saw him compared to great Norwegian attacker John Carew, who played for Villa between 2007 and 2011, as an imposing presence up front and particularly in the air.

Aston Villa coach Tim Sherwood completed the signing of Gestede recently, bringing to the club the talented striker who is hungry for success on the biggest stage. He managed to score 20 goals in 39 Championship appearances last season alongside strike partner Jordan Rhodes at Blackburn.

Gestede’s fellow striker was quick to compare him to the Scandinavian legend, and suggest that he can find similar success in the EPL.

“Rudy reminds me of John Carew with his presence. I don’t think there are many defenders that are going to be able to jump with him. He’s that good,” Agbonlahor told the club’s official website.

“He’s probably the best I’ve seen and played with in terms of aerial presence. He’s my dream sort of player to play with – a target man like him. I’m looking forward to playing more with him,” the striker added.

“There are going to be times where there are different players playing but he’s a good asset to have. He’s a nice guy off the pitch too. He’s a very humble guy and he works hard so he ticks all of the boxes,” Agbonlahor said.

The Benin player is under pressure to replace Belgian Christian Benteke who left Villa for Liverpool a few weeks ago, but was already on target on debut for the club in the opening fixture of the 2015-16 EPL against Bournemouth, securing a 1-0 victory.