As was largely predicted in the last day or two, Martin Laursen has just announced his retirement.

Personally, I would mostly attribute Villa’s terrible run of form with Laursen’s absence from the team. You can play 4-5-1 all day long, but without Martin at the back I doubt there would have been much difference in the results. This is bad news indeed.

That said, for an injury prone player, we certainly got our money’s worth out of him last season and the first half of this one. He’s earned all of our affection and will be greatly missed at the club.

With Mellberg leaving last season and now Martin, it’s time for a new centre back, preferably two, to step up and take command at the back. The question is, are they already at the club, or will MON now be desperately searching for a commanding centre back to fill Laursen’s boots?? From the last dozen games or so the answer would seem obvious, but maybe, just maybe, they’re already with us and just needed some time.

Anyway, thank you very much Martin Laursen and best of luck with your future. I sincerely hope that Villa are doing everything in their power to tempt you into a coaching role, if only for attitude!!

It’s just occurred to me that I don’t have any Martin Laursen wallpapers here. I’m sure I have one or two half-finished somewhere, I’ll check it out and see what I can do.