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This is South Wales --
ASHLEY Williams admits he has a tantalising sense of excitement about the new campaign.
The man signed from Stockport first wore a Swansea City shirt way back in 2008.
Swansea's subsequent rise from obscurity to the Premier League is a tale familiar to football fans across the country.
Williams helped the club escape the Championship two years ago, when Reading were defeated in a dramatic play-off final victory at Wembley.
And he has been a pivotal figure as Swansea settled in the top flight.
Despite being linked with a move away from the Liberty this summer, with Liverpool and Arsenal believed to be admirers, Williams is looking forward to his seventh campaign in South Wales.
He has been handed the captaincy after Garry Monk passed on the armband during the close season.
And the Welsh international revealed he has high expectations about what the next nine months could bring.
"I am excited. I think pre-season's gone really well and you're almost scared to admit that you think we're going to be good this season," said Williams.
"We've progressed every year and I've never had a pre-season this good before. We've scored a lot of goals and haven't conceded many. "Things are going well so I am excited — but I don't want to say that and jinx it."
Swansea delivered an impressive statement of intent with a 4-0 Europa League trouncing of Malmo last week.
The Swedish side, fancied by some because they are midway through their season and thrashed Hibernian in the previous round, were dispatched in devastating fashion.
Though Swansea still have a return match in Scandinavia to contend with, it would take a collapse of staggering proportions not to see them progress in the tournament.
"It was really good. We're proud to be in European competition and in a way it was the perfect night for us. It is something we can celebrate, four goals scored, a clean sheet, and on top of that a good performance," said Williams.
"We want to go as far as we can in the competition, we've said that all along.
"Maybe in the season it's going to catch up with us. I've never been involved in Europe before, but sometimes it looks that way with other teams.
"We planned for that game, we wanted to win it and we did.
"It's nice to come into the Liberty and see the Europa League signs on the door.
"I never thought we'd make a Euro competition so it's something to be proud of."
After an impressive pre-season, the Malmo match was the first competitive test for Michael Laudrup's new signings.
Wilfried Bony scored a debut double following his £12 million summer switch from Vitesse Arnhem, while another fresh face, Alejandro Pozuelo, came off the bench to score on his maiden Swansea appearance. Liverpool capture Jonjo Shelvey stood out in midfield, and centre-back Jordi Amat was a solid presence in defence alongside Williams.
"I thought they played really well," he said.
"Jordi next to me had a good game and I'm a big fan of Jonjo's. You can also see what Wilfried brings to the team. He's a great focal point for us attacking-wise.
"I'm sure that when he gets up to speed and knows Michu's game, those two are going to be a threat.
"Not since Jason Scotland in the Championship have we had a physical presence up there, someone we can play the ball to and it sticks.
"He can certainly do that. But also he's got great feet and can play."
David Moyes was at the Liberty four days ago, ahead of an opening meeting with Manchester United, to watch Swansea's demolition job as they returned to European competition following a 22-year absence.
"I hope he's impressed with the performance we put on. I know we feel that we played well and that's all we can worry about," added Williams.
"I felt like we dominated the game so we didn't really give them a chance to impose themselves on the game.
"I haven't seen this sort of competition before at Swansea.
"There's a lot of players looking for places, but I'm sure we're going to need them as the season goes on." Reported by This is 2 hours ago.
Clik here to view.
This is South Wales --ASHLEY Williams admits he has a tantalising sense of excitement about the new campaign.
The man signed from Stockport first wore a Swansea City shirt way back in 2008.
Swansea's subsequent rise from obscurity to the Premier League is a tale familiar to football fans across the country.
Williams helped the club escape the Championship two years ago, when Reading were defeated in a dramatic play-off final victory at Wembley.
And he has been a pivotal figure as Swansea settled in the top flight.
Despite being linked with a move away from the Liberty this summer, with Liverpool and Arsenal believed to be admirers, Williams is looking forward to his seventh campaign in South Wales.
He has been handed the captaincy after Garry Monk passed on the armband during the close season.
And the Welsh international revealed he has high expectations about what the next nine months could bring.
"I am excited. I think pre-season's gone really well and you're almost scared to admit that you think we're going to be good this season," said Williams.
"We've progressed every year and I've never had a pre-season this good before. We've scored a lot of goals and haven't conceded many. "Things are going well so I am excited — but I don't want to say that and jinx it."
Swansea delivered an impressive statement of intent with a 4-0 Europa League trouncing of Malmo last week.
The Swedish side, fancied by some because they are midway through their season and thrashed Hibernian in the previous round, were dispatched in devastating fashion.
Though Swansea still have a return match in Scandinavia to contend with, it would take a collapse of staggering proportions not to see them progress in the tournament.
"It was really good. We're proud to be in European competition and in a way it was the perfect night for us. It is something we can celebrate, four goals scored, a clean sheet, and on top of that a good performance," said Williams.
"We want to go as far as we can in the competition, we've said that all along.
"Maybe in the season it's going to catch up with us. I've never been involved in Europe before, but sometimes it looks that way with other teams.
"We planned for that game, we wanted to win it and we did.
"It's nice to come into the Liberty and see the Europa League signs on the door.
"I never thought we'd make a Euro competition so it's something to be proud of."
After an impressive pre-season, the Malmo match was the first competitive test for Michael Laudrup's new signings.
Wilfried Bony scored a debut double following his £12 million summer switch from Vitesse Arnhem, while another fresh face, Alejandro Pozuelo, came off the bench to score on his maiden Swansea appearance. Liverpool capture Jonjo Shelvey stood out in midfield, and centre-back Jordi Amat was a solid presence in defence alongside Williams.
"I thought they played really well," he said.
"Jordi next to me had a good game and I'm a big fan of Jonjo's. You can also see what Wilfried brings to the team. He's a great focal point for us attacking-wise.
"I'm sure that when he gets up to speed and knows Michu's game, those two are going to be a threat.
"Not since Jason Scotland in the Championship have we had a physical presence up there, someone we can play the ball to and it sticks.
"He can certainly do that. But also he's got great feet and can play."
David Moyes was at the Liberty four days ago, ahead of an opening meeting with Manchester United, to watch Swansea's demolition job as they returned to European competition following a 22-year absence.
"I hope he's impressed with the performance we put on. I know we feel that we played well and that's all we can worry about," added Williams.
"I felt like we dominated the game so we didn't really give them a chance to impose themselves on the game.
"I haven't seen this sort of competition before at Swansea.
"There's a lot of players looking for places, but I'm sure we're going to need them as the season goes on." Reported by This is 2 hours ago.