Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey insists he is "up for the challenge" faced by the arrival of new signing Stephen Warnock as Martin O'Neill's side look to bounce back from their Europa League disappointment.
Warnock will provide direct competition for former England defender Shorey following his move from Blackburn on Thursday on a four-year contract.
Shorey said: "It is a challenge. Obviously he (Warnock) is a left-back. A club like Villa are going to be signing players all the time in your position."
He continued: "You've just got to get on with it, do your best and hopefully you will get a game. If not, then we will wait and see what happens.
"But I am up for the challenge. I want to play football. That is my main aim and, if someone gets in the way, you've got to make sure you are playing better than them. That's all you can do.
"If we are playing well and winning, hopefully I will stay in the team."
Villa triumphed 2-1 over Rapid Vienna on Thursday evening but went out of the Europa League at the last qualifying hurdle on away goals after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.
Shorey admits it is a bitter blow for the club but knows they have to bounce back in positive style when they entertain Fulham in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow.
He said: "Going out of Europe is a blow but we knew it was going to be a tough ask even though we were at home for the second leg.
"We never felt comfortable when they only needed one goal to make us have to get another - and that is what happened. It was not a great night."
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