John Carew says he's improved as a player since joining Aston Villa.

Carew, 28 and about to win his 69th cap for his country, admits the failure to reach the Switzerland and Austria finals this summer has taken him and his colleagues weeks to get over.

But he believes that being at Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League has already made him a better player.

He explained: "My game has improved in England. It is more physical and I have had to cope with that.

"I am not just on my own up front, I now get around the pitch more and have a player alongside me who plays off me. All that is different and something for me to learn.

"I enjoy it here. Things have gone well for me and the team, and although we have had a couple of disappointing results of late we are still very close and can still fight for a European place."