Laursen hopeful over Champions League

Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen remains optimistic the club can still qualify for next season's Champions League.

Villa, who have not won a Barclays Premier League match since February 7, are three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal and face Manchester United after the international break.

"Of course it doesn't look great, but we still have a chance," said Laursen, who is recovering from a serious knee injury.

"There are still eight games left, and Arsenal have some difficult games to come, so we are still believing."

Laursen added of last weekend's defeat: "That was, of course, too many goals to let in, but Liverpool are strong right now and there wasn't really much we could do about it."