Carew not looking to jump ship as he wants to end his career at Villa Park

Carew has developed a reputation for moving around Europe after transfers to Rosenborg, Valencia, Roma, Besiktas and Lyon since he began his career with Valerenga.  

But the Norway international feels settled at Villa and believes his style of play is suited to the Barclays Premier League.   

A happy Villain: Carew has no desire to leave Villa Park

The 28-year-old joined Villa from Lyon in a swap with Milan Baros in January 2007 and was their leading scorer last season with 13 goals.  

He has two years remaining of his current deal but would be happy to commit far beyond that point if Villa are of the same opinion.  

Carew said: 'I have two years more on my contract so there is no rush with anything. But I am very happy to be here and I would like to stay for many years more. 

'If that is the club's wish, then that is my wish as well. We will see what happens. But I would like to stay here for a long time. 

'I really like it here, am really happy here, so I am absolutely open for that. I would like to put roots down here for a quite a long time.

'It is a league that really suits me well and I am happy with the football and really enjoy playing it. That is important to me.' 

Carew flew out with his team-mates today for a mini tour of Switzerland which will take in two games as part of Villa's preparations for the Intertoto Cup. 

But he insists the players are already in the right physical shape despite having to play competitive football a month earlier than normal in the bid to qualify for the UEFA Cup.  

He said: 'It is good to be back and we have some important matches coming up. We now have the Intertoto in two weeks which is very important.  

'But the players have come back a bit more fitter than normal from their vacation as well. All the physical tests up until now indicate that.  

'So, even though the Intertoto matches are not far away, I think we will be quite well prepared and we've got two or three games before that to help with those preparations.'

Villa manager Martin O'Neill remains optimistic Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell will become his first summer signing. 

The midlanders are preparing to put in an official bid for the former Reading player who is likely to be told by new Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari that he is well down the pecking order.

Meanwhile midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has joined defender Martin Laursen in saying he would be 'honoured' if given the captain's armband as want-away Gareth Barry's replacement. 

Reo-Coker skippered the England Under-21s and West Ham before moving to Villa and was given the same responsibility by Villa boss Martin O'Neill when Barry was unavailable against Liverpool at Anfield in January.

He said: 'We haven't really spoken about that. We don't know what the situation is over what is going to be happening or who's going to be captain. 

'I led out the side at Liverpool and we did really well that night and did enough to win.  

'For me I am already used to playing with the weight of expectation on my shoulders. It is nothing new to me. I did it at West Ham and I was England Under-21 captain.  

'Being captain is a declaration and, regardless of whether I have the armband or not, I will still be as vocal as I always am and be as determined to win and aggressive as I always have and will be.'