Aston Villa striker John Carew has revealed how his Dad was keen for him to follow his footsteps and become a professional goalkeeper.

"My father played football too a long time ago and on my father's side of the family there were a few footballers," Carew told the Sunday Mercury.

"He was in goal and he introduced me to football. He played, not what you would call professionally, but he played for the national team.

"It was the Gambian national team in Africa but it was not professional at that time.

"When you are younger you decide what you want to be and I wanted to be a striker which was a bit controversial for him I think!"

He added: "My parents live in Norway but they come over every once in a while and see a match so they've seen me score a goal for Villa.

"Both my mum and dad have been a big influence and they have always been interested in what I'm doing."