Pepe Reina had a loan stint at Aston Villa in the second half of the 2019/20 season.
The experienced goalkeeper played 12 times in the Premier League for the Villans and had a part in their survival in the top-flight.
The Spaniard now finds himself at Como, who are looking to survive the drop under Cesc Fabregas .
In a chat with La Provincia di Como, the 42-year-old was asked about how he can draw on his experience at the newly promoted Italian side.
He went on to speak about the stint at Aston Villa and how important he sees it when looking back on his career.
“I have won a lot in football, but one of my greatest satisfactions was staying up with Aston Villa. Fighting to stay in Serie A or the Premier League cements the spirit of belonging.
“Here we are ready, all of us, focused on wanting to take the team even higher in the standings to make everyone feel more at ease.”
Reina’s words may come as a surprise to Aston Villa fans, who would associate the 2019/20 season with tension and the anxiety about potential survival, although in the end most of that was left behind.
The season proved to be vital for the club as staying in the division made sure that they later finished inside the Champions League spots. Relegation that season could have led to financial disaster and the Birmingham club wouldn’t have risen in stature like it has.
