Harewood delighted to end goal drought

Aug 29 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARLON Harewood was a relieved man after finally ending his Villa goal drought at Wrexham and the striker is now determined to build on his healthy rapport with the Villa supporters.

Harewood tapped home in Villa's 5-0 Carling Cup romp at Wrexham and said afterwards: "It was fantastic to get my first goal and hopefully I can just carry on.

"Once you get your first goal as a striker it is just awesome. I'm off the mark. You don't want to be going through the season not getting off the mark.

"Now I just want to take this confidence into the Chelsea game. Obviously, that will be harder. It is a massive game but hopefully we can take the game to them and get the result we want.

"It was great for Nigel Reo-Coker to get off the mark as well. His confidence will be flying for Sunday."

Harewood says last night's win should bring home to the squad that they could be on the threshold of something great.

"There was a buzz when I arrived at the club and hopefully now, after winning 5-0, the lads have gone home and thought we have a really good chance of doing really well this year."

Harewood made a huge play of celebrating in front of Villa's 2,200 travelling support with repeated clenched-fist salutes which earned him a ticking off from the referee.

Following last Saturday's noisy welcome he received against Fulham, the former West Ham striker is in awe.

"The fans were tremendous. They were singing all the way through the game, and for me personally it is good to hear that," he said. "It makes you want to go out and do well.

"I had a fantastic reception from the fans as well on Saturday. Once you go out there and hear a roar like that, you want to cut loose."