Carew: We weren't complacent

Villa striker claims strugglers weren't underestimated

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 24th March 2008

John Carew Aston Villa

Carew: Remains hopeful

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Striker John Carew insists that Aston Villa's recent setbacks at home to lowly Sunderland and Middlesbrough were not down to complacency.

Despite claiming a 1-1 draw at Arsenal at the start of the month, Villa have since drawn 1-1 against Boro before suffering a 1-0 defeat by Sunderland on Saturday.

Those results have dealt a blow to Villa's European hopes, with Martin O'Neill's men now eight points behind fifth-placed Everton with seven games remaining.

But Carew feels Saturday's game could well have gone in Villa's favour so he does not believe Villa took Sunderland too lightly.

"If we made that mistake against Middlesbrough, then we should have learned and not done it against Sunderland - but I don't think that's been the problem," he said.

"For example, if my shot at goal against Sunderland after two minutes had gone in then it would have been a different match. We felt good, we had the ball and we were really at them.

Small margins

"Sometimes it's small margins as well in football that make the difference. We really respected Sunderland and we knew they were up for it and we had to be at our best - but we weren't."

Having failed to build on their draw at the Emirates Stadium, it seems the fact Villa have one of the smallest squads in the Premier League is beginning to take its toll.

But Carew is confident the Villa squad can cope with the demands of the season run-in and reckons they can still push for Europe despite their recent dip in form.

"We shouldn't be more tired than any other team," he said. "After the Arsenal game, we should have had a boost.

"It was a positive experience and should have given us great belief. Instead it's turned out to be the opposite.

"But we are all so well trained that we should be able to cope with being 100% in every match in the league.

Still hopeful

"I don't think that's too much to ask. That's what everybody expects. I am wondering a bit as to why it hasn't worked out in the last few matches.

"But we don't write off our chances of qualifying for Europe just yet. We have more matches to come and, in our head, we have to take things one match at a time.

"If we win the matches we have left then we still have a chance. It's not over until it's over but Saturday was a blow."