Laursen agrees new contract

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The Denmark international will formally put pen to paper on Friday on a deal which will keep him at Villa Park until the end of the 2009-2010 season.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill said: "Everyone at Aston Villa is absolutely delighted that Martin is staying on for another two and a half years. He has become a firm favourite with the fans and I would think they are as pleased as we are that he is staying."

He added: "Martin has been playing some wonderful football and he deserves everything he gets.

"He has shown great determination and the way he has overcome a serious injury is a lesson to everyone.

"He has removed the doubts over his fitness by playing regularly this season. I am delighted, and so is everyone at the club, that he is staying."

The 30-year-old moved from AC Milan for £3million in 2004 and his first three years at Villa were dogged by knee problems.

But during the current campaign Laursen has been an ever-present and also weighed in with six Barclays Premier League goals.

Laursen said: "It is not a secret that I really like it here at Villa. I have been saying all along that I would like to stay at Villa and I am glad this has all been agreed.

"I feel settled outside the pitch as well. I really enjoy staying here and have a good relationship with the manager and everyone around the club. I think we have a very good team and I want to play my part in helping Villa progress."