Martin Laursen is an integral part of the Villa revival this season under Martin O'Neill. Currently in eighth place in the Premier League, Laursen and company look capable of challenging for a place in the top eight for the first time in years. The Danish international has had a wretched time at Villa with injuries since arriving in Birmingham three years ago but appears to have finally put his knee problems behind him. Not only has been a rock at the back but Laursen also found time to pop up with two valuable goals in that incredible 4-4 draw at White Hart Lane over a week ago. Givemefootball caught up with Laursen to hear that the future is finally looking bright for the 30-year-old centre half.
Q:
THIS IS THE FINAL YEAR OF YOUR CONTRACT AT VILLA PARK – WOULD YOU LIKE TO STAY ON FOR LONGER?
A:
For the first time at Villa, I can actually say I'm happy with the way things are going. Of course, everyone knows I want to stay at Villa and make progress with them. But, as yet, there have not been any talks – only what the manager has suggested. The club want to make sure I can still be fit for most of the season.
Q:
ARE YOU FEELING FULLY FIT AT LAST ?
A:
Now I think the time is right for everyone to stop talking about my injury worries as I honestly think I have not hand any problems with my troublesome knee for about 18 months. I can understand why people still want to talk about that as it was such a big thing for me. But I am moving on now and it's good to hear people commenting about my performances on the field rather than why I am not able to play.
Q:
ARE YOU PLEASED WITH YOUR FORM?
A:
I feel as though this is the best spell of my Villa career and possibly the best I have been playing since I was at AC Milan. Although there have been games at Villa where I feel I have played well, I have never been fit for long enough to put a decent run of games together. Now I hope I can do that. It would be good to get maybe ten games in a row then build on that, just to show I can stay in the side consistently. Everyone knows there were times when I felt I might never play again but I have kept my place under this manager and I have a lot to thank him for.
Q:
YOU PICKED UP A HEAD WOUND AGAINST WEST HAM WHICH REQUIRED THREE STITCHES – YOU CERTAINLY PLAY IN A COMMITTED STYLE?
A:
It’'s always been in my game, to be honest. I'm not the most technical player you've ever seen but I will always make up for that by going into everything 100 per cent. That will never change and it's another reason why I cannot afford to think about injuries. But I also find that is something that is appreciated far more by supporters in England – it didn't get picked up as much by Italian fans.
Q:
YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED AT BOTH ENDS THIS SEASON HAVEN'T YOU?
A:
To score two goals last week at Spurs was good because every team needs to have that sort of contribution from the back. Look at Joleon Lescott at Everton. It's not unusual for defenders to be up there at set-pieces and corners looking to score goals. I have never scored that many in my career and it's something that gets mentioned a lot. So to score against Spurs was good even if the result was not what we wanted.
Q:
MARTIN O'NEILL HAS COMMENTED ON YOUR POSITIVE ATTITUDE BEFORE GAMES – DO YOU UNDERTAKE ANY SPECIAL ROUTINE BEFORE A GAME?
A:
There's nothing I do specifically before a game to psyche myself up even though the manager says I am always pumped up for matches. But I take special care in my preparations. For example, I am always up early on the day of game. I know some players like to sleep in late but on Saturday I'm up before 8am and totally focused on the game long before kick off. It just feels good to hear people talking about me for the right reasons – that is how it was supposed to be for me at Villa.
