We can lose Iceland football clash says Villa´s Laursen

Aston Villa's Martin Laursen warns they can lose in Iceland and Manchester City, embroiled in controversy surrounding club owner Thaksin Shinawatra, have Denmark's top team as opponents in Thursday UEFA Cup action.

Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa travel to Hafnarfjardar on Thursday in the first leg of the second qualifying round while City host FC Midtjylland of Denmark.

Denmark international Laursen told the club's website www.avfc.co.uk: “Obviously they are not playing in the Premier League like we are but they can still play football and on a bad day for us, if we are not concentrating, then we can lose to a side like FH Hafnarfjardar.

“So we must be careful and take this game seriously. We took Odense seriously in the Intertoto Cup and that is how we should always be.”

Laursen has huge experience in European football, having won the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003.

Meanwhile Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar on Tuesday completed his 7.8-million-pound (10-million-euro) move to Aston Villa from Rangers on a four-year deal.

Manchester City could be excused for having their mind on off-pitch activities.

Thaksin arrived in Britain after a warrant for his arrest had been issued in Thailand, and manager Mark Hughes has had to dismiss suggestions he might leave the club because of concern over his control on transfers.

City should also take their opponents seriously. Midtjylland arrive at the City of Manchester Stadium as the top side in Denmark, with ten points from the first four games of the new season.

They scored 10 goals against Bangor City over two legs in their first qualifying round tie and may feel confident against a side whose only competitive games this season saw them overcome Faroe Islanders EB/Streymur 2-0 twice in their opening UEFA Cup tie.