Philippe Senderos has described Ron Vlaar as one of the "best defenders" after forming a partnership with him at Aston Villa this season.
The Midlands club conceded just one goal in their first three games while Senderos and Vlaar were together at the back, but the latter has since missed several weeks with a calf injury.
Swiss international Senderos told the club's website: "Outside football we have the same mentality and when it comes to football we're very similar too. We understand each other on the pitch very well but like any partnership you need to work at it.
"These things sometimes just click, on and off the pitch. We don't need to talk too much to know what the other is thinking. It's good to have that sort of partnership at the back and we want to get them all over the pitch at Villa.
"Ron is right up there with the best defenders. He's a top, top player. He was one of the best defenders at the World Cup and is one of the best in the Premier League."
Villa resume their Premier League campaign when they face Queens Park Rangers on Monday evening.
Sian Cowper
