Source: SKY_Sports
Milner - Laursen absence a blow
Aston Villa midfielder James Milner has admitted that the departure of Martin Laursen has been a big blow.
The Danish defender was forced to retire at the end of last season after a run of persistent injuries, and former team-mate Milner revealed he was disappointed to see him leave.
"We are all going to miss him a lot, and we realized that at the end of last season," the 23-year-old told Onside.dk.
"He is a top, top player - fantastic. Everyone is going to miss him because he is a leader and he ruled the locker room."
Villa manager Martin O'Neill has opted not to buy another defender this summer, and with fellow defender Zat Knight moving to Bolton he may be counting on Spanish centre-back Carlos Cuellar to fill Laursen's boots.
