The Denmark international had been dogged by knee problems for nearly three years and the sceptics wondered if he would have to hang up his boots.

But the former AC Milan player has been an ever present in Villa's bid for a European spot going into the final game of the campaign at West Ham on Sunday.

Laursen, who signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract in January, said: "I have 100% recovered from my knee injury. I don't have any problems any more.

"People wondered if I could come back but I've played every game in the league and that has given me immense satisfaction.

"If I am lucky with injuries in the future I think I can carry on for a long time. I certainly have some energy that I have to come out of me now because I haven't played much until this season since coming to Villa.

"I definitely feel I haven't played enough but these are exciting times ahead for the club. We have a good promising side, good young players with desire and skill and quality to do well.

"That is why I am really happy to be a part of this because I really think the future is bright, especially with a manager like Martin O'Neill.

"I feel I am on top of my game, I feel mature as a player, I feel that I can enjoy my success and still focus and be concentrated on the next game."

Laursen, who won the Champions League with Milan, is keen for Villa to put the icing on the cake by qualifying for Europe.

He said: "Obviously it's very positive that we're here and so close to Europe at the end of the season. When you're a big club like Aston Villa the aim is always Europe.

"But there's a lot of other teams in the Premier League with the same aim and it's very hard to do. We have managed to play well all season and now we're still in a good position.

"It's very positive and it's been very positive throughout the whole season. It's nice that we're just one game from the end and we have a chance to go and take fifth place."

O'Neill has no fresh injury problems ahead of the trip to Upton Park with Villa needing to win and to hope Everton slip up against Newcastle if they are to claim fifth spot.