My Champions League pain says Aston Villa star
May 27 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
FORMER Champions League finalist John Carew fears Aston Villa will only fully appreciate their top-four failure when they watch tonight’s Rome showpiece.
Martin O’Neill and his players have remained philosophical about the slump which ultimately cost them a place in Europe’s premier club competition.
Villa claim the 2008-09 campaign was one of progress because they finished with two more points even though they were again sixth in the league.
But Carew feels the pain of missing out on the Champions League will become apparent during tonight’s final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
The big Norwegian international striker is familiar with the appeal of the prestigious tournament having helped Spanish club Valencia finish runners-up in 2001.
Even the disappointment of losing the final on a penalty shoot-out to Bayern Munich after Carew converted his spot-kick does not dull his affection for the competition.
And the well-travelled targetman, who also played Champions League football for Rosenborg and Lyon, admits he misses regularly facing the cream of the continent.
“I played five seasons in the Champions League,” said Carew.
“I played almost 50 games in it and it’s fantastic.
