Martin Laursen says he's showing the best form of his Aston Villa career.

He told Villa's website: "I feel as though this is the best spell of my Villa career and possibly the best I've been playing since I was at AC Milan.

"Although there have been games at Villa when I feel I have played well, I have never been fit for long enough to put a decent run of games together.

"Now I hope I can do that. It would be good to get maybe 10 games in a row, then build on that just to show I can stay in the side consistently.

Everyone knows there were times when I felt I might never play again. But I have kept my place under this manager and I have a lot to thank him for.

"Now I think the time is right for everyone to stop talking about my injury worries as I honestly think I have not had any problems with my troublesome knee for about 18 months.

"I can understand why people still want to talk about that as it was such a big thing for me.

"But I am moving on now and it's good to hear people commenting about my performances on the field, rather than why I am not able to play."

Laursen's wholehearted approach to the game has made him a big favourite with the Claret and Blue Army and of course Martin O'Neill.

The former AC Milan man added: "It's always been in my game to be honest. I'm not the most technical player you've ever seen, but I will always make up for that by going into everything 100 per cent.

"That will never change and it's another reason why I cannot afford to think about injuries. But I also find that is something that is appreciated far more by supporters in England - it didn't get picked up as much by Italian fans."