Laursen Was Pleased To Score

In his after match interview Martin O'Neill joked Laursen's goal was almost as good a chance as the one he missed earlier in the match and I'm sure Laursen appreciated the sentiment.

Speaking himself after the match, Laursen said:

'It's a coincidence that I scored against Tottenham again. I am just really pleased to have scored five goals so far this season. It's more than I could ever have dreamed of!

'I was even more pleased to score - particularly when I think about the chance I missed in the first half. I had too much time to think!

'I didn't know whether to smash it or try and control it. In the end, I made a mess of it. That was not good because it was a real chance. Thank goodness I scored near the end.'

Had Villa dropped points in the match, Laursen wouldn't have been the only player to head home unhappy given the chances we wasted.

The win also cemented Villa's position in the top half of the league, and a fair few of the players now seriously have their eyes on Europe.

'It was unbelievable to score the winning goal - and I was delighted.

'It was a really important game because we wanted to keep up the pace in the top half of the league.

'I think we deserved the three points because overall we played really well. Over the whole 90 minutes, I thought it was a good performance.'

Laursen was personally pleased to have come through the Christmas period and he hopes it puts all doubts to an end over his 'dodgy knee'.

He has has also said that contract negotiations are in the hands of his agent and that he hopes/expects to have his future sorted soon. But he, like O'Neill have been concentrating on the football and letting the others handle the chats.

'It was important to play over the festive period because I wanted to show everyone that my knee is fine.

'I've played every Premier League game so far this season so I don't want to hear any more about my knee. That's all in the past now and that's where I want it to stay.

'I think both parties have talked. I have just concentrated on playing football and I think the manager has as well. It has been a hard period.

'When we have got the Manchester United game out of the way, then we will meet up again. I told my agent to take care of everything. I trust him, I just want to concentrate on my football.'

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