O'Neill - Difficulties In Replacing Martin

Martin O'Neill has revealed that he believes it will be incredibly difficult to replace Martin Laursen.

Speaking on the official site O'Neill had nothing but praise for the 'colossal captain' and has no doubts he will have to dig deep in the transfer market in order to secure a capable replacement.

'It's a major blow because he has been fantastic here. I am delighted on the one hand that the Villa crowd got to see the real Martin Laursen. The real Martin Laursen stood up and was absolutely fantastic.

'You couldn't have anything but praise for him. His attitude to football was fantastic - he put his head in places where no-one else would have dared. He scored goals, he saved goals - he was absolutely tremendous.

'We've lost an inspirational leader and a really terrific player. The players looked up to him. He was a colossus.

'Where would we go to find someone to replace Martin? Wow, that's difficult. There's no question about it. But we'll have to look and we'll have to try and find one. I am hoping there is one out there.'

It's certainly going to be the transfer battle of the window, can we find a good enough centre half available to fill Martin's boots.

Not many centre halves come to mind when you are talking about the overall quality of Laursen, and the ones that do you have to think we'd be lucky to tempt both them, and their clubs into selling.

Interesting times as ever ahead.

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