Carew happy at Villa

We all know that the next few weeks are likely to bring stories about the future of Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen. Just behind them will probably be John Carew if the last few weeks are anything to go by. However, the big Norwegian has said today that he is happy to stay, and that he is loving life at Villa Park.

The Birmingham Mail has featured an interview with him today.

“I don`t want to leave this club, I love being here, the fans, the players. I don`t see any reason why I would leave. I am enjoying my football and I`m happy to be contributing.”

I for one am delighted to hear this, although I am not surprised. He has cult-hero status and while he has had a ‘nomadic` past, he is now at an age where he is more than likely happy to be settled properly for the first time in probably his adult life.

From a fan point of view, I am very pleased. Knowing that Martin Laursen is likely to retire, Gareth Barry`s future remains uncertain and the slight nagging doubt that Stilyian Petrov hasn`t yet signed a new contract (although hopefully that will be sorted at the end of the season), it is pleasing to see that one of our more important commodities is happy to stay.

The Ajax incident seems a long time ago now and it certainly didn`t seem to dampen the support he has from the fans; if anything it helped his notoriety. From a pure football point of view, he is in good form at the moment and is joint top scorer on 13. Given the amount of football he missed, it makes you wonder if he would have been able to get closer to 20.

On his day he is unplayable. He has off days like everyone else does, but I would much rather have him in our team than the opposition. We haven`t had much to cheer about lately, but I suggest this should be greeted as something to smile about!