Aston Villa new boy Henri Lansbury admits being 'double nervous' before singing Drake in club initiation

Footballers' initiations are things which are regularly heard about but hardly ever seen, which made the video posted to Henri Lansbury's Instagram page on Monday so revealing.

The midfielder completed his £3million move from Nottingham Forest to Aston Villa earlier this month, and was forced into an embarrassing situation as a friendly welcome by his team mates.

During a dinner with his fellow players, Lansbury is filmed being made to stand on a chair in the restaurant and sing Drake's Hold On, We're Going Home, to their amusement.  

Henri Lansbury was forced to go through an initiation after signing for Aston Villa

Henri Lansbury was forced to go through an initiation after signing for Aston Villa

Lansbury was filmed standing on a chair and singing Drake's 'Hold On, We're Going Home'

Lansbury was filmed standing on a chair and singing Drake's 'Hold On, We're Going Home'

Lansbury's awkward singing in the restaurant was thoroughly enjoyed by his team mates

Lansbury's awkward singing in the restaurant was thoroughly enjoyed by his team mates

Lansbury has arrived at Villa from Nottingham Forest for £3m on a four-and-a-half year deal

Lansbury has arrived at Villa from Nottingham Forest for £3m on a four-and-a-half year deal

Lansbury's lack of tone can perhaps be put down to nerves, as he captions the video: 'When you can't eat dinner because your [sic] double nervous to sing to the boys #Starving.'


The whole initiation was filmed for Instagram and lasted about a minute, with Lansbury doing enough to be considered one of the team as he is applauded back to his seat after a couple of verses of tuneless singing. 

The scene gained approval from those commenting on the video, including England bowler Stuart Broad, who commented: 'I love how awkward the waiter looks.'

Indeed, in the background is a member of restaurant staff, who watches the start of Lansbury's song, clearly unsure of what to do, before wandering out of frame. 

Lansbury admitted feeling 'double nervous' beforehand and being unable to eat his dinner

Lansbury admitted feeling 'double nervous' beforehand and being unable to eat his dinner

In the background a waiter shuffles around awkwardly, unable to work out how to react

In the background a waiter shuffles around awkwardly, unable to work out how to react

After a minute, Lansbury is put out of his misery and is applauded down by his team mates

After a minute, Lansbury is put out of his misery and is applauded down by his team mates

Lansbury, 26, arrived at Villa Park earlier this month on a four-an-a-half year deal from troubled Forest, aiming to win his third Championship promotion having tasted success with Norwich City and West Ham United.

He told the club website: 'I am delighted to be here at Aston Villa. As soon as I knew Aston Villa were interested, I wanted to come here.

'It's the size and reputation of the football club that attracted me. It's a big, big name in the English game and I can't wait to get started here now.'

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