Source: SKY_Sports
Carew hails 'great season'
John Carew believes Aston Villa can be proud of their achievements this season despite missing out on the top four.
Martin O'Neill's men occupied a standing which would have been good to enough to secure a UEFA Champions League place for much of the campaign, only to then come up short heading down the final stretch.
A serious slump saw Villa go 12 games without a win, allowing Arsenal to first snatch fourth spot and then edge out of reach.
They did get back to winning ways with a 1-0 success over Hull City on Monday though and with that victory guaranteed Europa League action for next term. Carew insists the 2008/09 campaign should be deemed a successful one for O'Neill's side.
"The fact we have qualified for Europe is still an achievement in itself," said the Norway international.
"We created the opportunity for ourselves to get into the Champions League. It was maybe not expected before the season that we would be so close and be in contention for so long.
"But we knew we could improve from last season, when we were sixth.
"We've had a great season. Of course, in the end we didn't manage to do what we had to do in the fight with Arsenal for fourth position.
"But, if we can manage to stay in fifth place, then we've improved again from last season and we're just going in the right direction."
Improved
Villa made it through to the last-32 of this season's Uefa Cup before an under-strength side was put to the sword by Russian giants CSKA Moscow.
Much was made of O'Neill's decision to use a shadow squad in Europe, but Carew insists the Villains will be better equipped to deal with continental competition in 2009/10.
He said: "I think we will be better equipped for Europe next season. That's the goal. We have improved this season and the players here are getting better and better.
"What will happen to the squad, I don't know? But, with the team we have, I think we will get better each year.
"We are learning each season and, if we find ourselves in the same position we did this year, fighting with the top four in the league, I think we will handle it even better.
"Is the squad big enough? For the amount of games we have played this season, I think it is okay. With four competitions, the more good players we have the better, but it's not up to me to comment on that."
