Fit-again striker John Carew has warned CSKA Moscow he plans a repeat of his Villa Park heroics, insisting: “I’m getting better with each game.”

The Norway striker cancelled out Vagner Love’s opener to earn a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Cup last 32 clash, with his second goal in three starts since returning from three months on the sidelines with a niggling back problem.

The ex-Roma and Lyon man’s experience will be invaluable to Martin O’Neill’s side at the Luzhniki Stadium and Carew, a former Champions League finalist with Valencia, believes there is plenty more to come as he regains his sharpness.

He said: “I’m getting better each game I play. I just feel I am getting in better shape each game and more in the rhythm of the match.”

Carew has reminded his team-mates of the effort put into earning their European spot by finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, which clinched them a place in the Intertoto Cup, and now wants them to seize their opportunity in the Russian capital.

He added: “It is an important game, a big game. Our away form in the league has been great. We have to draw strength from that.

We know that we have to score a goal – and hopefully we can get two.”