Strike was a special moment for Villa defender

Nov 5 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN Laursen rejoiced in his first goal on home soil in nearly three years, and in front of the Holte End too, as he made it three goals for the season.

The Danish defender called the moment "special" and believes it helped make amends for the club's late collapse at Tottenham, which took the shine off his brace at White Hart Lane a month ago.

"This time we won. Last time I scored two goals, but we didn't win and that was disappointing," he said. "This time we got the three points and that makes it more special.

"That was my first Premier League goal at the Holte End and it was really, really nice. It was an important goal as well."

Laursen says the goal came as a big relief to the players.

"We were disappointed after the first half, because we had to win this game at home against Derby and it was a big relief for me and for the whole team when we got the first goal.

"I couldn't really miss after such a good header from Gareth. If I'd missed, it wouldn't have been good. It was a great delivery and easy to score.

"We kept a clean sheet as well, but the goal pleases me most of all. It was important to get the breakthrough and I will enjoy my goal because it helped us a lot. I'm the second-highest scorer now - not bad for a central defender!

"The second goal was important, because you never know what can happen. So to be 2-0 up so quickly was very important. I was very pleased for Ashley and his performance deserved a goal."