Source: SKY_Sports
Davies - I'm not new Laursen
Curtis Davies has admitted he is not the man to replace Martin Laursen and has urged Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill to sign someone who can fill the captain's boots.
Laursen announced his retirement at the end of last season after persistent knee problems kept him out for large parts of the campaign and Davies revealed the team struggled to come to terms with the Dane's absence.
Many expected the 24-year-old to fill the void left by Laursen but the former Luton youngster honestly concedes he does not have the character to replace his former skipper.
After the departure of Gareth Barry to Manchester City last week, Davies has urged O'Neill to spend the money on a replacement centre-half.
"When Martin came out of the team people were looking at me a bit more to step up," he told the Express and Star.
"I guess I'm not the Martin Laursen character people have been looking for.
"It's hard task to replace someone like Martin. It's not just a case of getting someone that can head a ball."
With both Barry and Laursen no longer at Villa Park, Davies admits that the club must go in search of players who possess the correct leadership skills.
"Do we need a screamer and shouter? Martin Laursen was never like that," he added.
"He projected himself with his actions on the pitch, winning headers, making tackles and being a no-nonsense figure.
"Did we miss that? I don't think we missed that but we missed Martin. We could have a player who does that but is not as good as Martin.
"We missed Martin because he was a big player in the team.
"The manager might want to sign another tough, old-school centre-half that's going to win headers in our box and in the opponents' box, but you don't know."
