Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Friday May 15 2009
Time: 11:37AM
UK time is: 17:41:06
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Villa's Defensive Rock Set To Retire
Looks like the news we all feared is about to become reality. Villa skipper and defensive rock Martin Laursen is set to announce his retirement at a press conference today.
The 31-year-old world class (and that isn't said lightly) defender has battled with career threatening knee injuries for several years and just when he thought he was over the problems after completing a full and magnificent season for Villa last year, he picked up another injury, this time in his other knee. Having undergone surgery and given it time to repair it looks like the advice is he could do serious harm if he tried to make yet another comeback.
I'm sure all our good wishes and thanks go to him.
More news and quotes when we get them.
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
For the very latest Premier League odds
For massive weekly jackpots - Play the Football Pools Online
Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.
Your Comments
Thanks for everythying Martin.
It was great to see a genuine world class player at VP. Please stay and help coach our defenders!
Nimmo
Thanks for everythying Martin.
It was great to see a genuine world class player at VP. Please stay and help coach our defenders!
Nimmo
Gutted...
Mat777
Gutted...
Mat777
this will be a huge loss to the game if this is true and on a par with Spurs losing Ledley.
oxfordspur
this will be a huge loss to the game if this is true and on a par with Spurs losing Ledley.
oxfordspur
Ledley king is ***** mate.Laursen was top notch,This is a shame.
lerneravfc
Ledley king is ***** mate.Laursen was top notch,This is a shame.
lerneravfc
such a shame, he was a threat going forward and a rock at the back, not often you get a player of this class, not sure quite where we look to replace him either?!
The Fear
such a shame, he was a threat going forward and a rock at the back, not often you get a player of this class, not sure quite where we look to replace him either?!
The Fear
A big loss to football, one of the best in the Premier League and hardly put a foot wrong.
Boxer
very big loss for you guys. Great player. i always rated him. lerleravfc, you can shut the ***** up mate. Ledly king is not *****e. he is a fantastic player and he is certainly the best english defender. He is miles better than Jhon terry.you will only now that if you watched him. Like Laursen, he has been really unfortunate with his injuries. i really hate it when top class players are limited due to injuries
Yid_from_India
A big loss to football, one of the best in the Premier League and hardly put a foot wrong.
Boxer
very big loss for you guys. Great player. i always rated him. lerleravfc, you can shut the ***** up mate. Ledly king is not *****e. he is a fantastic player and he is certainly the best english defender. He is miles better than Jhon terry.you will only now that if you watched him. Like Laursen, he has been really unfortunate with his injuries. i really hate it when top class players are limited due to injuries
Yid_from_India
King is a ******** gormless *****head now ***** off,This is about laursen,He will be missed big time in our back 4.It will be hard to replace him,I think our defensive perfomance really slacked off when he got injured.Not only that he was so good looking.
lerneravfc
King is a ******** gormless *****head now ***** off,This is about laursen,He will be missed big time in our back 4.It will be hard to replace him,I think our defensive perfomance really slacked off when he got injured.Not only that he was so good looking.
lerneravfc
Ledley King? LOL! No comparison
leelindsay
why is it always Spurs and Geordies who are the most deluded?! United supporters speak more sense!
leelindsay
Ledley King? LOL! No comparison
leelindsay
why is it always Spurs and Geordies who are the most deluded?! United supporters speak more sense!
leelindsay
Gutted. just a few words that sum him up (again not said lightly):
Colossal
Rock
Leader
Machine
Immense
Fearless
Warrior
Truly World Class
If i had one i'd let him s**g me wife
His injury was the biggest contributing factor that meant we missed out on 4th...not just for his defensive qualities but for his goals as well from set play.
Ledley King HA HA HA HA HA. A better likeness is more like Utd losing Vidic.
JeffBeck-TheLeftSide
Gutted. just a few words that sum him up (again not said lightly):
Colossal
Rock
Leader
Machine
Immense
Fearless
Warrior
Truly World Class
If i had one i'd let him s**g me wife
His injury was the biggest contributing factor that meant we missed out on 4th...not just for his defensive qualities but for his goals as well from set play.
Ledley King HA HA HA HA HA. A better likeness is more like Utd losing Vidic.
JeffBeck-TheLeftSide
I would let him shag me never mind my mrs.
lerneravfc
I would let him shag me never mind my mrs.
lerneravfc
Truly truly gutted....!! Will have an impossible time of replacing a Villa great!!!
bentonm
Truly truly gutted....!! Will have an impossible time of replacing a Villa great!!!
bentonm
Really gutted, kind of knew this time he would go, but always thought he would fight back again.
Give him a job as a coach, right away and have a friendly in honour of the man!!!!! Liverpool fans called Robbie Fowler GOD, and I think we had our own in Martin, he is and will be missed.
erv2005
Really gutted, kind of knew this time he would go, but always thought he would fight back again.
Give him a job as a coach, right away and have a friendly in honour of the man!!!!! Liverpool fans called Robbie Fowler GOD, and I think we had our own in Martin, he is and will be missed.
erv2005
Sad day, good luck to the man and hopefully he will stay at the club in some capacity. Boys, let's not start up more villa v spurs bollox over this. King is a true quality player, maybe not of the same stuff as our martin but you can't call him ***** by any means. It's a shame we can't have martin as our king, I thought he might be able to put in a shift every now and then
PTP
Sad day, good luck to the man and hopefully he will stay at the club in some capacity. Boys, let's not start up more villa v spurs bollox over this. King is a true quality player, maybe not of the same stuff as our martin but you can't call him ***** by any means. It's a shame we can't have martin as our king, I thought he might be able to put in a shift every now and then
PTP
mmm. Thiery henry stated,"he is the only defender who can take the ball of my feet without fouling me"Was he reffering to Laursen? no wait, it was Ledly king he was reffering to. Gerrard described him as the best defender he has ever palyed with and against. sorry martin, he was refering to ledly king again. Fabio capello- "He is the best defender in the league when fit and can read the game better than most "not laursen, ledly king. who is the defender that has no ligament in his knee and cant train all week , joins his teammates on match day,plays thru pain and still is as solid as a rock evey weekend. You guessed it, ledly king again. Who was the centre half that was embarrassed by a certain Ricardo fuller of stoke city earlier in the season. Hey Martin laursen has got one after all.Dont feel bad it is not as if he was embarrassed by torres or Berbatov. It was a world calss striker in Fuller. So i rest my case, Ledly king is not good enough to clean laursen's boots.
Yid_from_India
mmm. Thiery henry stated,"he is the only defender who can take the ball of my feet without fouling me"Was he reffering to Laursen? no wait, it was Ledly king he was reffering to. Gerrard described him as the best defender he has ever palyed with and against. sorry martin, he was refering to ledly king again. Fabio capello- "He is the best defender in the league when fit and can read the game better than most "not laursen, ledly king. who is the defender that has no ligament in his knee and cant train all week , joins his teammates on match day,plays thru pain and still is as solid as a rock evey weekend. You guessed it, ledly king again. Who was the centre half that was embarrassed by a certain Ricardo fuller of stoke city earlier in the season. Hey Martin laursen has got one after all.Dont feel bad it is not as if he was embarrassed by torres or Berbatov. It was a world calss striker in Fuller. So i rest my case, Ledly king is not good enough to clean laursen's boots.
Yid_from_India
Sorry mate but this is not a ledley king debate and we don`t do fandom so ust ***** OFF YOU *****ING SPECIMEN.
lerneravfc
Sorry mate but this is not a ledley king debate and we don`t do fandom so ust ***** OFF YOU *****ING SPECIMEN.
lerneravfc
Yid_from_India - You got the last sentance right at least.......
Mat777
Yid_from_India - You got the last sentance right at least.......
Mat777
lerneravvfc, nice come back mate(not) LOL LOL. I actually really respect laursen. i think he is a great Defender and scores important goals aswell but you are the one that started the debate by calling ledly *****e.
Yid_from_India
Always thought this was a Villa site. Thanks Martin and good luck for the future.
Gordonsleftboot
lerneravvfc, nice come back mate(not) LOL LOL. I actually really respect laursen. i think he is a great Defender and scores important goals aswell but you are the one that started the debate by calling ledly *****e.
Yid_from_India
Always thought this was a Villa site. Thanks Martin and good luck for the future.
Gordonsleftboot
What a shame. Huge loss. All the best.
DoLpHiNaToR
What a shame. Huge loss. All the best.
DoLpHiNaToR
LernerAVFC - me starts to wonder abt you(LOL). Any how all you guys are right - a great footballer player, what more could you want from a player who dons a VILLA shirt. he is a favourite player of mine and i truly wish him well, i hope he could turn out as a Villa Trainer or defensive coach. i know many would disagree if i were to liken him to Paul mcgrath but to me Martin is a defensive GOD
Pablo1978
LernerAVFC - me starts to wonder abt you(LOL). Any how all you guys are right - a great footballer player, what more could you want from a player who dons a VILLA shirt. he is a favourite player of mine and i truly wish him well, i hope he could turn out as a Villa Trainer or defensive coach. i know many would disagree if i were to liken him to Paul mcgrath but to me Martin is a defensive GOD
Pablo1978
I've a feeling his injury is the biggest reason my lot finished 4th this year. Quality defender.
Little Dutch
I've a feeling his injury is the biggest reason my lot finished 4th this year. Quality defender.
Little Dutch
P.S - can this page be abt MARTIN LAURSEN and not players from other teams. this should not be a debate but rather acknowledgement and tribute to our great Villa Player. so Yid really not today abt you - ledley or Tottenham
Pablo1978
P.S - can this page be abt MARTIN LAURSEN and not players from other teams. this should not be a debate but rather acknowledgement and tribute to our great Villa Player. so Yid really not today abt you - ledley or Tottenham
Pablo1978
Thks Little Dutch - muchos appreciated
Pablo1978
Thks Little Dutch - muchos appreciated
Pablo1978
Gutted. Was the heart-beat of our side and held it together so well. People moan MO'N is to blame for out drop in form, I argue it has been the loss of Laursen. I'm even more grateful I'll be at the Newcastle game now, where I hope a fitting tribute is going to be paid to the legend. Having said all that, I'm glad he has thought of his own health instead of prolonging career and risking his long-term health. Thank you Martin Laursen, an AVFC great.
Tierney
Gutted. Was the heart-beat of our side and held it together so well. People moan MO'N is to blame for out drop in form, I argue it has been the loss of Laursen. I'm even more grateful I'll be at the Newcastle game now, where I hope a fitting tribute is going to be paid to the legend. Having said all that, I'm glad he has thought of his own health instead of prolonging career and risking his long-term health. Thank you Martin Laursen, an AVFC great.
Tierney
You cant help but be sad, the best center half in the league (in my view) gone. He made the right decision he must think of his health but still I wish he could keep going. He is the only villa player I can think of in my life time that was in the same class as Paul McGrath. I think we now have our defence Jesus (yes just to P*** off any christians) to go with GOD. McGrath is God, Laursen is Jesus.
Tallaght Villan
You cant help but be sad, the best center half in the league (in my view) gone. He made the right decision he must think of his health but still I wish he could keep going. He is the only villa player I can think of in my life time that was in the same class as Paul McGrath. I think we now have our defence Jesus (yes just to P*** off any christians) to go with GOD. McGrath is God, Laursen is Jesus.
Tallaght Villan
Im Gutted, we cant replace him simple as that, but his health is more important. All the best Martin UP THE VILLA
astonsteve
Im Gutted, we cant replace him simple as that, but his health is more important. All the best Martin UP THE VILLA
astonsteve
Terrible loss. My condolensces.
Samboney
Terrible loss. My condolensces.
Samboney
GUTTED, MCGrath reincarnated has to retire. Man mountain. Goes to show how good he was when his replacements couldn't even keep a clean sheet. Lets keep it Lausen on here gents.
Villan444
GUTTED, MCGrath reincarnated has to retire. Man mountain. Goes to show how good he was when his replacements couldn't even keep a clean sheet. Lets keep it Lausen on here gents.
Villan444
Very sad, he will be missed greatly
NY Villa
Very sad, he will be missed greatly
NY Villa
Thank you and Good luck Martin. You are already sorely missed...it shows in our recent form!
MattUTV
Thank you and Good luck Martin. You are already sorely missed...it shows in our recent form!
MattUTV
Agree with him becoming a coach at Villa. Get Dion Dublin back aswell whilst were at it. It can only be a good thing to have well respected players in the background to help take us forward (and sort out our current shaky back line)
son_of_cher
Agree with him becoming a coach at Villa. Get Dion Dublin back aswell whilst were at it. It can only be a good thing to have well respected players in the background to help take us forward (and sort out our current shaky back line)
son_of_cher
Irreplaceable. Absolutely gutted for him. What on earth earth are we going to do without him???
olofthegreat
Irreplaceable. Absolutely gutted for him. What on earth earth are we going to do without him???
olofthegreat
Absolutely gutted beyond words, although not entirely surprised by this announcement. I've no doubt that had we kept Laursen uninjured for the entire season, we could well have cracked the top four. Thank you Martin, your name will be added alongside the likes of McGrath, Taylor, Mellberg and countless others.
jeffg_utv
Absolutely gutted beyond words, although not entirely surprised by this announcement. I've no doubt that had we kept Laursen uninjured for the entire season, we could well have cracked the top four. Thank you Martin, your name will be added alongside the likes of McGrath, Taylor, Mellberg and countless others.
jeffg_utv
Martin Laursen will go down as a Villa legend
In my eyes this is even more of an achievement for a player who has missed so much football, since he arrived
It just goes to show how well he must have played in the games he managed to take part in
His leadership skills, along with his desire, toughness and heart, not to forget his skill will be sorely missed
In my eyes he is irreplaceable
I just hope he is kept on by Villa as a defensive coach to help all our future centre backs
I wish Martin all the best for the future, whatever that may be.
In MON we trust!
Martin Laursen will go down as a Villa legend
In my eyes this is even more of an achievement for a player who has missed so much football, since he arrived
It just goes to show how well he must have played in the games he managed to take part in
His leadership skills, along with his desire, toughness and heart, not to forget his skill will be sorely missed
In my eyes he is irreplaceable
I just hope he is kept on by Villa as a defensive coach to help all our future centre backs
I wish Martin all the best for the future, whatever that may be.
In MON we trust!
truly gutted, would like to wish martin all the best in the future whatever he decides to do. joins a list of villa greats that will live on in history. thanks for the memories martin you will be truly missed
1982benny
truly gutted, would like to wish martin all the best in the future whatever he decides to do. joins a list of villa greats that will live on in history. thanks for the memories martin you will be truly missed
1982benny
sad to see him go. true villa player.
how can u compare king to laursen though?
jimjim96
sad to see him go. true villa player.
how can u compare king to laursen though?
jimjim96
Kings a thick **** clown, Martins a true professional with immense heart and desire. Words fail me. All the best Martin and thanks for the fond memories. No comparison deluded yid [Edited by FearVilla]
medzy
Kings a thick **** clown, Martins a true professional with immense heart and desire. Words fail me. All the best Martin and thanks for the fond memories. No comparison deluded yid [Edited by FearVilla]
medzy
medzy - Chip on your shoulder or what?
It's always tragic when a player is forced into retirement by injury, especially a great one or a gentlemen, to lose both at once is thoroughly disheartening. Best of luck in the future Martin
Phartman87
medzy - Chip on your shoulder or what?
It's always tragic when a player is forced into retirement by injury, especially a great one or a gentlemen, to lose both at once is thoroughly disheartening. Best of luck in the future Martin
Phartman87
One of the best defenders to ever play for the Villa,a true hero,it was an honour to see him play.Hope he stays on as a coach.
Pking
One of the best defenders to ever play for the Villa,a true hero,it was an honour to see him play.Hope he stays on as a coach.
Pking
Horrible news, absolutely gutted. I would have to say, given his performances over the past few season's (against injury problems, too), he was, one of, if not - THE best centre backs to grace our league. Thank you Martiin!
benji_starsky_avfc
Horrible news, absolutely gutted. I would have to say, given his performances over the past few season's (against injury problems, too), he was, one of, if not - THE best centre backs to grace our league. Thank you Martiin!
benji_starsky_avfc
No chip fella, this threads about the bad Laursen news, not "king"
medzy
No chip fella, this threads about the bad Laursen news, not "king"
medzy
Gutted. he was truly world class and we are very shaky at the back without him.
chris the villan
Gutted. he was truly world class and we are very shaky at the back without him.
chris the villan
Laursen was and is the dogs danglies! A true Great Dane. A dogged defender who would just nip at any attackers heals and great in following the owners orders! So powerful in the air and at chasing down. Most of all a great leader by example and a truly hard act to follow. Sorry about all the analogy's but you see where I'm coming from.
holte ender 1969
Laursen was and is the dogs danglies! A true Great Dane. A dogged defender who would just nip at any attackers heals and great in following the owners orders! So powerful in the air and at chasing down. Most of all a great leader by example and a truly hard act to follow. Sorry about all the analogy's but you see where I'm coming from.
holte ender 1969
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
Villa Line Up Malaga Friendly (Monday May 20 2013)
Garth Takes 1 From The Front And 1 From The Back! (Monday May 20 2013)
AVFC Player Contract Lengths (Monday May 20 2013)
The Vital Villa Fantasy League Winner! (Monday May 20 2013)
Lambert Thanks Fans For Vociferous Support (Sunday May 19 2013)
Stats: Wigan v Aston Villa (Sunday May 19 2013)
Wigan v Villa - Team News 19/5/13 (Sunday May 19 2013)
We Deserve To Finish Higher (Saturday May 18 2013)
Pre Season Takes Shape (Friday May 17 2013)
Something For The Weekend (424) (Friday May 17 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | Pride of Lions | 886 |
| 2. | The Fear | 677 |
| 3. | BodyButter | 446 |
| 4. | kefkat | 376 |
| 5. | CDX_EIRE | 309 |
| 6. | ClivetheVillan | 250 |
| 7. | Villan57 | 241 |
| 8. | thefacehead | 239 |
| 9. | DeanoVilla | 196 |
| 10. | mike_field | 182 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Wigan | 2 | - | 2 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 1 | - | 2 | Chelsea |
| Norwich | 1 | - | 2 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 6 | - | 1 | Sunderland |
| Man Utd | 3 | - | 0 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 1 | - | 1 | Fulham |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 12. Fulham | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | -10 | 43 |
| 13. Stoke | 38 | 9 | 15 | 14 | -11 | 42 |
| 14. Southampton | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | -11 | 41 |
| 15. Aston Villa | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | -22 | 41 |
| 16. Newcastle | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | -23 | 41 |
| 17. Sunderland | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | -13 | 39 |
| 18. Wigan | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | -26 | 36 |
Breaking League News
| Royals bow out of Premier League with defeat
» Reading : 20/05/2013 17:37:00
|
| Lukaku Hails The Fans
» WBA : 20/05/2013 17:30:00
|
| McAuley Proud Of Fightback
» WBA : 20/05/2013 17:19:00
|
| Retiring Legends!
» Chelsea : 20/05/2013 17:03:00
|
| The Ped Report City 2-3 Norwich City
» Man City : 20/05/2013 17:00:00
|
| Carroll Future Still Unresolved
» West Ham : 20/05/2013 16:58:00
|
| Nolan Ends the Season in Style
» West Ham : 20/05/2013 16:57:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|
1 © - All content copyright Vital Network Ltd, not to be reproduced without explicit permission Copyright Issues
Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.