Former Liverpool and Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier has heaped praise on the work of Michael Laudrup at Swansea City.

Houllier says Laudrup deserves the respect of his peers.

He said: "At the beginning of the season many wondered whether Swansea would be able to maintain their impressive start to Premier League life.

"But Michael has managed to sustain their Premier League progress and recently won the League Cup. He has probably made the shrewdest signing of the season in Michu and deserves the praise from his peers."