Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has put Martin Laursen alongside club legend Paul McGrath - and not because of their shared knee problems.

O'Neill said: "Laursen we have definitely missed as he is a great player. When I first met Martin, I thought he might have great difficulty ever playing again.

"The very fact he's been unbelievably brilliant puts him alongside Paul McGrath. He has been extraordinary and I couldn't have believed it if I didn't see it for myself."