John Carew tells Aston Villa boss: I'll do a job for you

Oct 21 2010 by gregg evans, Birmingham Mail

JOHN Carew knows all about Gerard Houllier after spending two years under the Frenchman at Olympique Lyonnais.

The Norwegian won the league under Houllier’s reign before moving to Villa in 2007 as part of a makeweight for Milan Baros to move in the other direction.

During his time at the French club, Carew notched ten goals in 35 appearances, but decided on a move to the Premier League midway through his second season.

Just months after Carew swapped the centre of France for the middle of England, Houllier also left Lyon after guiding them to two league and cup doubles.

However, despite re-uniting with his former boss, Carew knows he’s got a fight on his hands to hold down a regular starting berth.

“I’m feeling like my form and fitness is coming back now so I’m hoping to be a bigger part of the team again now,” the 31-year-old striker said.

“(Against Chelsea) I got cramp in my left leg and it locked but it’s not a big problem.

“Before that I felt good. I had a good game with the national team and got some match fitness.”

Carew lasted 73 minutes in the goalless draw with Chelsea.

He was given the nod to lead the line after man-of-the-moment Emile Heskey missed out with a back injury.

The ex-England international was expected to start after shaking off a dead leg that forced him off during the defeat at Tottenham earlier in the month.

But despite a gruelling fixture pile-up that saw Carew turn out for his country against Cyprus and Croatia just days before, the fans favourite put in a battling display to help his side grab a point.