Aston Villa striker John Carew says chairman Randy Lerner has an excellent relationship with the players.

Carew, who sat with Lerner for the UEFA Cup win at FH Hafnarfjordur, said: "The players have a good relationship with him. He has good contact with us.

"It's good for the players to get on well with the president. He is really, really into the game - he has a real passion for it.

"It is different in every club and there is clearly a difficult situation at Manchester City.

"We feel more like a big family here."