Exclusive: Jordan Henderson ‘like a kid in a sweet shop’ after joining 'iconic' Ajax, wary of in-form Aston Villa

Jordan Henderson says he was like “a kid in a sweet shop” when he joined Ajax in January and expects a fierce challenge from "one of the most in-form teams in Europe," Aston Villa.

The 33-year-old was talking ahead of Ajax's last-16 UEFA Europa Conference League tie against Villa - the match will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+, with kick-off at17:45 UK time and live coverage commencing at 17:00.

The former Liverpool captain’s spell with Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq came to an end after just six months when he joined the Dutch giants in the winter transfer window.

Henderson has settled quickly in Amsterdam, helping Ajax reach the last 16 of the UEFA Europa Conference League and captaining the young side twice in the Eredivisie.

It has been a difficult season for the four-time European champions, who sit fifth in the league standings, but Henderson explained that the size and history of the club left him giddy when the opportunity came.

“I was really excited by the opportunity. Ajax is a huge club, an iconic club,” Henderson told TNT Sports.

“Although they haven’t been in the best moment over the last year or so, I understood the vision of the club going forward, the project, and where I could come in and try and help. That really excited me.

“Excitement was the overall feeling, to get in there and get going, and have the opportunity to play for this amazing club.

“Once you get here you need to perform, you need to be at the top of your game and perform to the standards people expect. With that comes a little bit of pressure, but that’s something I’ve really missed over the last six or seven months.

“I was like a kid in a sweet shop coming here, dying to get going. Of course, in football you’re going to have ups and downs, but overall I’ve been really excited by the team, the club and the project and vision going forward.”

Ajax dropped down to the Conference League after finishing third in their UEFA Europa League group behind Brighton and Marseille, before knocking out Bodo/Glimt in extra-time in the play-off round.

That earned the Dutch side a crack at high-flying Villa, who are targeting UEFA Champions League qualification this season and currently sit fourth in the Premier League standings.

As someone who keeps a close eye on the English top-flight, Henderson had some advice for his new team-mates in the Netherlands.

“Expect a really tough game,” he said.

“It is a big game for everyone to be involved in. Aston Villa are doing so well this season, a very good team with very good players.

“I’ve got a lot of respect, I think their manager [Unai Emery] is so good, very experienced, especially in European competitions. It will be a tough test but it’s an opportunity to play against one of the most in-form teams in Europe this year.

“It’s a good test for the team and the younger players have to go out and give it everything they can.”

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Ajax v Aston Villa will be live on TNT Sports 3 with coverage from 17:00 UK time on Thursday, March 7.

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