Antonio Manuel Luna Rodríguez

[PeterWithesShin]

Antonio Luna has spoken with real affection about the fans who have already taken him to their hearts.

Luna has been thrilled with the amount of support he has received from the claret and blue army on social media sites aswell as in person during pre-season games since making the move from Spain.

Luna is already somewhat of a cult figure with the fanbase.

Supporters on messageboards have given him the nickname Tony Moon, taken from the English derivates of his name.

And his appearance has also been lauded by online fans, with supporters hailing his bearded look, not seen in B6 since the departure of colossal defenders Olof Mellberg and Carlos Cuellar.

Smiling and laughing instantly, Luna said: "I know all about the name Tony Moon. I really, really like that. I love it. It's good fun. Well done to the fans on coming up with that.

"I am so pleased about it, really delighted. I am happy to be called Tony Moon here at Villa!

"I am really pleased with my beard too and it seems the fans like it.

"I believe the last people to have one here were Olof and Carlos. If they like it, I will grow it even longer!

"All joking aside, I am so happy to be close to the supporters already considering the short time I have been here at the club. It makes me proud.

"I am very pleased that they are happy with me and they have taken me to their hearts.

"The fans have just been great. They have been so kind with me with their messages of support. I am really happy with them.

"What is important to me now is that I work to my maximum for them to show them what I can do. I will give the club and the fans everything I can.

"I am part of a team, of course. It's not just me. We are here together and lifting each other together."

Luna says that huge support has extended to the dressing room at Bodymoor Heath, where the players have been "really kind" to welcome him.

He added: "I am very happy here. I have had a great welcome from everyone at the club. It's a great feeling in the team, there's a great togetherness and I love the city.

"It's such a good city. There's only one Spanish restaurant I have found at the moment but, importantly it's really, really good!

"But the lads have been really kind. They understand that for me it's complicated because I have moved from another country and I speak another language. But I feel really good here. I already feel at home."

[GarethRDR]

"I am really pleased with my beard too and it seems the fans like it.

"I believe the last people to have one here were Olof and Carlos. If they like it, I will grow it even longer!"

What a champ.

[warleyboy]

Don't grow it to long Tony, Clark is already struggling in defense without getting tangled in your gandolph web..

[Toronto Villa]

He looked really good against Crewe the other night, (yes, I realise it is Crewe), but the one thing that stood out was his desire and willingness to work hard, something I think all of these new lads have in abundance.

[pauliewalnuts]

Any man who is prepared to do so much to further the cause of bearded footballers deserves our appreciation.

I always thought Dennis Mortimer was a magnificent beard-sporting player.

How much shitter would this brilliant goal (21:40) have looked without the combination of scruffy shirt flapping around plus superb beard?

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[Dave]

"It's such a good city. There's only one Spanish restaurant I have found at the moment but, importantly it's really, really good!

Is he talking about the one in Sutton Coldfield? If so then it's outstanding.

[supertom]

He's looked good in pre-season so far. A bit more considered defensively than Bennett. He also looks more imposing, but he does have a beard, and Bennett is only 14. I think he'll be first choice this season.

[ADVILLAFAN]

There's a Tapas bar around the corner from mine, in lovely Yardley. Can't say I've ever been there though.

[dave.woodhall]

There's a Tapas bar around the corner from mine, in lovely Yardley. Can't say I've ever been there though.

It's very nice. Not cheap, but good food.

[LeeB]

There's a Tapas bar around the corner from mine, in lovely Yardley. Can't say I've ever been there though.

It's very nice. Not cheap, but good food.

Glad you said that Dave, been meaning to give that a try.

I like the one in Moseley.

[damon loves JT]

From what I saw of him in Germany, he is going to be popular. Lots of energy, brave, very attack minded.

[pauliewalnuts]

"It's such a good city. There's only one Spanish restaurant I have found at the moment but, importantly it's really, really good!

Is he talking about the one in Sutton Coldfield? If so then it's outstanding.

He is.

He tweeted a pic of it a while back

[eamonn]

Sounds like a proper caballero.

[not3bad]

Has he got a chant yet?

[pauliewalnuts]

Has he got a chant yet?

Yep.

His name is Antonio Luuuuuuna
I saw him eat a chicken bhuna
His favourite type of fish is tuna
He really is a total kahuna
He should be captain of a schooner
I wish we could have bought him soooner
Before we spunked that money away on that donkey Joe Bennett