Laursen salutes best season

Villa defender urges O'Neill to strengthen squad

By Laura Slatcher   Last updated: 26th May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Laursen salutes best season

Laursen: Memorable season

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Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen has rated the 2007/08 season his best ever and hopes his club can continue their improving success.

The Midlands club enjoyed their most successful season for some time and finished the campaign in sixth place, missing out on fifth on the last day of the season.

Laursen overcame injury to start every league game this season and he reveals this has made the campaign extra special along with extending his current contract.

"It's been very special to play in every game - it's been the highlight of my career, definitely because I've played my best football ever," Laursen told the club's official website.

Special season

"I've felt so good physically after all those problems with my knee, so this season has been special for me.

"It's also been special because my contract ran out but the club extended it so I can only be pleased with my season."

Laursen made a £3million move from Milan to the Midlands club in 2004 and insists the side's European spot is well deserved.

"It's very nice to be back in Europe again," he added. "We're very happy with this and I think it sums up our season. We deserve it.

"We scored a lot of goals - admittedly conceded too many as well - but we've been brilliant away from home."

The 30-year-old is now urging manager Martin O'Neill to bolster the side over the summer particularly because of Villa's small squad.

Strengthen the squad

But Laursen insists the club must buy quality players to ensure they can mount a strong competition should they qualify for the Uefa Cup.

"The requirement is to get good players and they're not cheap," added Laursen.

"We have proved we can do very well with a small group of players and this squad has a lot of potential.

"So we need some more quality players and if we qualify for the Uefa Cup, then we need some more players because it won't be enough just to have 16 players.

"We haven't had any injuries and if we're going to play in Europe that would be a big ask as well because a lot of us have international games as well."