Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Laursen aims for full season
Tuesday 24th July 2007, 11:58AM BST.
Injury-plagued Martin Laursen insists he intends to play every game for Villa next season.
The Danish international has played just 25 out of a possible 114 Premiership matches for the club after a serious knee problem.
But he was unbeaten in his 12 appearances last season and figured prominently in Villa’s nine-match unbeaten run at the end of the campaign, winning rich praise from manager Martin O’Neill.
Laursen, who turns 30 in two days’ time and has a year left on his contract, is over the injury that almost wrecked his career and reckons he can become a fixture in the Villa side.
He said: “I need to play many games now. I want a season where I play every weekend and every midweek game.
Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Injury-plagued Martin Laursen insists he intends to play every game for Villa next season.
The Danish international has played just 25 out of a possible 114 Premiership matches for the club after a serious knee problem.
But he was unbeaten in his 12 appearances last season and figured prominently in Villa’s nine-match unbeaten run at the end of the campaign, winning rich praise from manager Martin O’Neill.
Laursen, who turns 30 in two days’ time and has a year left on his contract, is over the injury that almost wrecked his career and reckons he can become a fixture in the Villa side.
He said: “I need to play many games now. I want a season where I play every weekend and every midweek game.
“I know I’ve said that before, but I really feel fit and prepared for the season.
“Now I have to keep working hard on my fitness this week – we all do. The goal for me this season has to be I play, not necessarily every game, but many games.
“I want to really be a regular, because I haven’t done that yet in my Villa period and I need that.It’s not good enough just to play a few games and play them well.”
Laursen believes fans will see a new Villa come the start of the season.
“We have two signings and more to come,” he said. “We have the new training ground, a full-time masseur and all the support people we need.
“I’m sure people will start to see the difference when we play games.
“Everything is now being done to help us prepare for the games and that should help us win more.”
Sponsored Links
Business Awards
Read the full story here
Full coverage of awards celebrating the region's best businesses.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
LIVE traffic updates
Road, rail and airport - latest
Our new, live traffic and travel updates service - check before you set out.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
I like Martin and I think he is a talented player but being injury prone makes him a liability, he is already a big minus on the value for money stakes, if you divide his wages by 25 out of 114 he has to be among the highest paid players in the Prem. He was injured when we bought him, which is something I will never understand, he will have to have one hell of a season to convince me that he is worth another contract.
Report abuse
Martin comes across as a genuine professional and I think he feels that he owes a good season to the club, the fans and himself.
I hope he gets the chance to deliver it.
Report abuse
Martin Laursen is undeniably a top class centre half, and if he is over his injury problems could be a fixture in the side for a long while yet.
Its no coincidence that our unbeaten run in coincided with Laursens return to fitness and I hope a contract is sorted out sooner rather than later, even if a pay-as-you-play incentive has to be used to make it economically viable.
Report abuse
massive fan of martin, really good looking guy. Imagine him and rio ferdinand in the box?
Report abuse