If anyone deserved good fortune last season, it was surely Martin Laursen.

In three seasons since his transfer from AC Milan, the Danish central defender had endured constant frustration, a succession of knee problems restricting him to just 28 appearances for Villa.

At one stage there had even been fears his career may be over.

But in 2007-08 he more than doubled his number of appearances, playing in every single Barclays Premier League match plus the FA Cup-tie against Manchester United. The only time he was missing was when he was rested for the club's two League Cup-ties.

If the Denmark international provided plenty of quantity, his quality was even more impressive.

His commanding performances at the heart of the defence earned him the Villa Supporters Player of the Year award - and he also found time to get forward and score half a dozen goals, including two in a 4-4 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

His personal favourite, though, was his late headed winner in the return game against Spurs on New Year's Day.