Source: Team_Talk
Carew puts Stoke shock behind him
Carew looked to have sealed victory for Villa with the second goal against Tony Pulis' side but they conceded two in the final three minutes and had to be content with a 2-2 draw.
It means Villa remain six points ahead of fifth-placed Arsenal going into Wednesday's Barclays Premier League meeting with Manchester City at Eastlands.
Carew said: "It was disappointing not to have won the Stoke game when we were two goals up with only a few minutes to play. It was weird. It happens sometimes in football.
"Stoke were not doing anything. They were just kicking the ball anywhere. They didn't have a system. They had 10 people in their box.
"It was a big disappointment that we could not hold onto that lead. We should have held up the ball and pushed it around.
"There are now a few games we have not won (five in all competitions) but we now just have the league left for us to concentrate upon.
"That is really important to us as it means so much to the club and the fans, especially if we can achieve Champions League football.
"We have a great chance as there is still a gap between ourselves and Arsenal.
"We were sad for an hour after the Stoke game but then you look forward to the next challenge - and be confident that you can be successful.
"This team has done great things away from home this season and there is no reason why we cannot do it again."
Villa will be bidding for an eighth successive away league win before recharging their batteries in Dubai.
Carew said: "We are coming to the end of the season and people will feel it in the legs. I have nothing against the schedule which is quite heavy.
"As a team and individuals we can get a good momentum. We need to get it going with a victory on Wednesday.
"We can give the Manchester City game everything as we have a 10-day break afterwards when we go to Dubai.
"We will have to really fight against Manchester City, then have a rest and be really ready for those final 10 games of the season."
Carew believes he is ready to play a major part in the final third of the season after recovering from back surgery and being eased gradually back into action by Villa manager Martin O'Neill.
He said: "I've been working hard and I feel I am getting there. I've got a few goals so I feel as if I've got things going again.
"At least that is a good feeling and I hope it is important for the team for the remaining games. I feel good and fit but there are a lot of good players at Villa.
"It is up to the manager how he composes the team. I just have to be ready whether I start or play later in the game. But I am definitely starting to feel ready to play a whole game."
Stoke goalscorer Ryan Shawcross is adamant the belief in the squad that they can survive in the top flight has never wavered.
He said: "The result at Villa could be a massive one for us in the context of the season. We've believed from the start of the season that we were good enough to stay up.
"Even in the dark times, when we had some bad results, we always felt we were going to stay up. We've got some games coming up against teams coming up around us, six-pointers.
"There are still 10 teams in the relegation battle. You can lose a couple and be in the relegation zone. The manager always told us we could stay up and our home form is really good."
