Laursen happy with Euro draw

Villa skipper reflects on Intertoto opener

By Kent Hedlundh   Last updated: 20th July 2008

Martin Laursen

Laursen: Platform on which to build

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Martin Laursen feels that Aston Villa have room for improvement following their Intertoto Cup opener.

Villa were held to a 2-2 draw by Danish outfit Odense BK in the first leg of their European contest on Saturday.

John Carew had given Martin O'Neill's men an early lead, before Steve Sidwell put through his own net on his competitive debut.

Club captain Laursen then restored the Premier League's side lead 14 minutes from time, only for a last-minute strike from Anders Moller Christensen to rob them of a confidence-boosting win.

Despite the disappointment of seeing victory snatched from their grasp in the dying seconds, Laursen remains upbeat about the way the Villains' have begun the 2008/09 campaign.

Praise

"It's a good starting point and it is okay," the centre-half told Sporten.

"It's disappointing because we should have managed to keep them at bay.

"It's regrettable that they scored at the last moment, but praise must go to OB.

"Fortunately, we were able to score when we got the chances."