Martin Laursen keen to be Aston Villa captain
VILLA’S captain marvel Martin Laursen has revealed his desire to become the first Great Dane to skipper an English club on a regular basis.
Laursen wore the armband in Odense and is favourite to replace Gareth Barry as Villa’s full-time leader.
After making a scoring return to his homeland, the Danish defender hopes to celebrate his 31st birthday next Saturday with a second-leg victory.
And being named Villa’s permanent captain by manager Martin O’Neill would make Laursen and his army of followers back home in Denmark immensely proud.
“I would be proud to captain Aston Villa,” he said “That is a nice thing and I would be very proud to do it. It was a proud moment for me to do it in my home country.
“When I play I don’t think about the captaincy. It is not always on my mind and it is not going to ruin my season if I am not the captain.
“I hope to play a good season and it would be nice to have that responsibility as well.
“I think it would go down well in Denmark if it happened. It would be good for Danish football.
“Peter Schmeichel was not captain at Manchester United and no other Danish player has captained a Premier League side.”
Laursen admits he is flattered to hear O’Neill liken him to Chelsea star John Terry and Villa legend Paul McGrath.
And the former AC Milan centre-back credits his special relationship with the manager for his renaissance over the past 12 months.
“It is great to hear the manager talking about me like John Terry,” said Laursen. “We have a great relationship with each other.
“I have always worked very well with him. He trusts me and I trust him. He lets me do the special training I have to do for my knee. He always says I only have to be fit for the games.
“He trusts me to be a good pro and he has given me a new contract as well. I have everything to thank him for.
“And to be compared with Paul McGrath makes me so proud. All I ever do is try my best, if people think I am as good as he was that makes me so proud.”
