Laursen is ready for the Premiership

"I've always been in the 18 with Milan and I always play with the national team, " he told the club's website.

"I am physically very fit, so I don't think there will be a problem. It will be very exciting to feel the atmosphere in these fantastic English stadia.

"It's also nice to test yourself against big-name strikers every week."

Laursen, who was part of the Denmark team that lost 3-0 to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004, joined Villa prior to the tournament in a �3m move.

The 26-year-old started his career at the San Siro on a season-long loan from Parma in the 2001-02 campaign during which he made 18 starts and scored two goals.

However, after a transfer to the Italian giants he made just three full appearances, and seven as substitute, between September 2002 and his move to Villa.

Laursen is Villa's only new acquisition so far ahead of the new season and should be looking to become a regular in the starting line-up.