John Carew: Aston Villa ready for the Champions League
Mar 2 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail
JOHN Carew has insisted Villa are still in great shape to finish in the top four of the Premier League despite them tossing away two points against Stoke City.
Carew’s stunning sixth league goal of the season, and 10th in total, appeared to wrap up a comfortable victory before Stoke’s two late hammer blows.
Despite the gut-wrenching conclusion to yesterday’s 2-2 draw, Villa sit proudly in the table six points clear of Arsenal ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Manchester City.
They have an identical points haul to that of Graham Taylor’s 1990 runners-up and are just two points off what Ron Saunders’ side would have been on when they lifted the title in 1981.
“We have a great chance as there is still a gap between ourselves and Arsenal,” said Carew.
“We were sad for an hour after the game but then you look forward to the next challenge and we are confident we can be successful. The team has done great things away this season and there is no reason why we cannot do it again.”
Carew admitted that Stoke’s smash-and-grab raid at Villa Park was difficult to fathom.
“It was disappointing not to have won the game when we were two goals up and only five minutes to play,” he said.
“It was weird. It happens sometimes in football. They were not doing anything. They were just kicking the ball anywhere. They didn’t have a system. They had 10 people in their box.
“The guy hit the post and that gave them something. It sparked them off.
