Aston Villa's young defender Jonathan Hogg has thanked Martin Laursen for his support as he battled back from knee surgery.

Hogg spent 11 months on the sidelines recovering from his injury and made two trips to America for treatment.

But some words of wisdom from club captain Laursen provided him with a massive boost on the road to recovery.

The Danish defender has himself suffered lengthy lay-offs and he was only too happy to offer some advice.

Hogg told Villa's website: "He had a few words with me to tell me to keep working hard and to keep thinking positive.

"Because he's had similar injuries he's been through the same programmes and he knows what is hard and what is easy. He really helped me through it."