The 30-year-old Norway international has been with Villa since his 2007 arrival from Lyon and has forged a successful strike partnership with Gabriel Agbonlahor since returning from injury this season.

A towering presence in the heart of the Villa squad, he has become a firm favourite of the Villa fans and he is keen to repay the supporters for the faith they have shown in him.

good years

Carew said: "I love it here. I love the football, I love the club. The fans have been unbelievable and I will never forget them.

"If anything happens now, if I had to stop playing football tomorrow, I would still love the Villa fans.

"Every year it gets harder to perform at the same level. I'm working hard to please the fans and I am disappointed when I can't give back what they give us and give me.

"When the fans think I am too old to do it, they will definitely let me know!

"But I hope I have some good years left. As long as my body feels strong and I can perform at this level, and keep up with how football develops.

"I feel I have some good years left. You never know what's going to happen but as long as Villa are happy and I'm happy, there's no reason why it shouldn't be here.

"It has been fantastic up until now. When I arrived we were 16th and in danger of getting relegated.

"I have seen it getting better. The new training ground, the team, the squad. Players who were fresh and inexperienced are now internationals.

"I am proud to be part of a team that has been getting more and more solid and consistent."

Aston Villa failed to make the group stages of the Europa League this season after being eliminated by Rapid Vienna. Carew is determined to help the club back into Europe, with the Champions League a major goal for the players.

"When I came to the club the goal was to qualify for Europe in two years - we qualified in one year," Carew added.

"Now we have a little dream of the Champions League. It's a big goal but we think we can do it.

"Everyone is digging in for everybody. When the team is so unified and everyone is working so hard for each other we get results."

Villa currently sit in seventh place after a 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. Agbonlahor put Martin O'Neill's side ahead, with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake equalising for Wolves from the spot.