Lundekvam hopes to inspire Saints

Norwegian defender Claus Lundekvam intends to finish a fantastic week on a high by helping Southampton record their first away win of the season at Aston Villa.

Lundekvam scored his first goal for seven years as Norway beat Bosnia 2-0 in midweek to boost their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2004.

The 29-year-old, who has been outstanding for Saints in defence this season, has only scored one other goal in his career and is yet to find the back of the net for Southampton after joining them in 1996.

But Lundekvam is anxious to follow up his goalscoring exploits in midweek by with another goal at Villa Park as Southampton try and build on their 2-0 win over Manchester City a fortnight ago.

Lundekvam said: “It has been a fantastic time for me. I won both games playing for Norway, we took six points and kept two clean sheets and I even scored a goal. It has been great.

“We played particularly well and, with all the internationals that are now playing for Southampton, that has to be good for the club.

“I now have to take the good form with me for Southampton because at the end of the day it’s what I do for my club that gets me international recognition.

“It’s that that counts and playing international football is a bonus on top of that. It’s taken a while to get into the Norway team and I’m delighted we did so well.”

Lundekvam and team-mate Paul Williams have come under extra pressure this season following the £2m signing of Swedish international Michael Svensson from French club Troyes.

But Lundekvam added: “It’s good to have competition for places because it keeps everyone on their toes and Michael has done well since he came in.

“It’s going to be a tough game but after the Manchester City result we’re going there with a lot of confidence because we played really well in that one.”