Carew: High-tempo Aston Villa can get opponents on the run

Oct 7 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

And the 6ft 4ins striker quipped that he could rival the likes Stiliyan Petrov, Steve Sidwell, Nigel Reo-Coker and Fabian Delph as a tough-tackling midfield hard man.

Carew was substituted midway through the second half with cramp but he reported for international duty with Norway and is expected to shake it off quickly.

“It was good,” said Carew, who is set to be involved in his country’s friendly against South Africa on Saturday.

“It was a shame I had a bit of cramp and had to go off, because I was really enjoying it out there, but that’s life.

“I had to play deeper because the way they played we only had four in the midfield and one had to drop.

“Gabby was running more in the channels so I had to play almost in a midfield position and I really enjoyed it and felt really good.

“I was the midfield hard man and got some tackles in! I enjoyed it.

“The important thing if you play that role is that the fitness needs to be there and the fitness is really good now.

“I felt really good in the first half but the second half I got a cramp in my leg, but that’s nothing serious and I will be over it in a couple of days.”

Carew joined the chorus of praise for Richard Dunne after the defender capped a man-of-the-match display with a goal against former club City.

“He’s been there for many years and it was special for him to score against the club he captained, so he proved a point,” added Carew.

“He’s a great defender. They sold him and switched him for another one and that’s great for us because I’m happy he came here.

“I don’t think there was a lot of frustration and a lot of hurt in the header, but I think there was a lot of motivation and a lot of passion in it.”