Laursen wins Danish player award

Laursen signed a deal at Villa through to the summer of 2010

Aston Villa defender Martin Laursen has been voted Denmark's Player of the Year at a ceremony in Copenhagen.

Laursen, 31, beat Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner and midfielders Christian Poulsen and Daniel Jensen to the award from the Danish FA.

Laursen has been a key man in Villa's success under Martin O'Neill over the last two seasons since overcoming a serious knee injury.

He signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract at Villa Park in January.

Laursen joined Villa from AC Milan for £3m in April 2004 but suffered a torrid time with a recurring knee injury.

But he won his battle for fitness following surgery and has been a virtual ever present in the side over the last two seasons.

In 2007/08 he scored six goals as Villa finished sixth and qualified for the Intertoto Cup.

This season the Dane has been a huge influence as O'Neill's side threaten the top four in the Premier League and sit comfortably placed to qualify for the last 32 of the Uefa Cup.