Villa striker John Carew admits the disappointment of their failed Champions League mission will only truly hit home when he tunes in to the final in Rome.

Holders Manchester United face two-time winners Barcelona as two of Europe’s heavyweights collide at the Italian capital’s Stadio Olimpico, the place Carew used to call home during his days at Roma.

Now defender Martin Laursen has retired, Carew is the only Villa player who can lay claim to have been involved in the showpiece event.

It is nine years since he was part of the Valencia side who suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Carew scored his spot-kick after the game ended 1-1 after extra-time, but the Spaniards still succumbed to a 5-4 defeat.

The striker, who also played in Europe’s elite competition for Rosenborg and Lyon, hopes Villa have learned some valuable lessons for next season after watching their challenge for a top-four finish fade in the final third of the campaign.

He concedes tonight’s mouthwatering contest will only act as a reminder of the sort of company they could have been keeping.

Villa’s Norwegian hitman said: “It would have been fantastic to have qualified. You only have to see the final with the two of the best teams in Europe to realise the quality of the competition.

“I played in it for five seasons. I played almost 50 games in it and it’s just fantastic. The games were the highlight of your season.

“You would always look forward to them. You get to go and play against the best players in the world in the biggest stadiums.

“You learn so much because there are so many big teams who have different ways of playing football, so many fantastic football players that you have never heard about until you see people get stung when they are playing them.

“You pick up things everywhere and it will really make you a better football player.”

Carew admits Villa cannot afford a repeat of the spring slump which soured their season, if they are to one day swap the Europa League for the Champions League.

He said: “It’s a disappointment (not to be in it) but we have to take the positives. We are improving each season.”