Villa boss Martin O’Neill has settled on his new skipper after confirming Martin Laursen will continue in the role for the foreseeable future.

Laursen, Nigel Reo-Coker and John Carew were all handed opportunities to wear the captain’s armband during pre-season as O’Neill began his search for Gareth Barry’s successor.

It was the experienced Danish centre-back who emerged as the prime candidate for the role, after leading the side to handsome victories in their UEFA Cup qualifier in Iceland against FH Hafnarfjordur and again in Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester City.

The Villa boss believes he has chosen a skipper who will ‘lead by example’.

He said: “Martin is the captain here, I didn’t say it officially to him, but he is the captain of the side at the moment and I wouldn’t see that changing.

“Laursen is Laursen, he leads by example, I’m not saying he is running around shouting all over the place but neither did Gareth.”

The Denmark international arrived from AC Milan for £3m in 2004 and has had to fight back from 13 months on the sidelines with a career-threatening knee injury.

His highly impressive form in the first half of last season earned him a new two-year contract in February.

O’Neill added: “He could have given the game up and lesser people may well have done.”