Carew reckongs Maloney is good enough to star in the Premier League.
Carew said: “I know Shaun and he is a brilliant player. I really love the way he plays and he did well for us too.
“He’s a very good boy, a quiet boy and very close to his family. You could see he was missing home a bit because his girlfriend was up here as well.
“But he was always the best in training. Maybe for our way of playing he didn’t fit in physically because of his height.
“But at another club he could have been perfect.
“Maybe he should have tried to stay a bit longer to prove he could play there.
“But he’s a great player and I was really impressed with him.
“The fans loved him because he usually scored when he came in with free-kicks or whatever.
“It was difficult for him to get in the team at Villa, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t have played for a Premier League club that wasn’t as good as we are.
“I was sad to see him leave even though he didn’t get too many chances.
“He is one of Scotland’s main weapons and he can be decisive in the game.”
He added: “I was 19 when I moved to Spain, but I coped with it and I had a fantastic time at Valencia, so I can’t complain.
“But maybe Shaun and myself have different personalities. I am a bit more outgoing and he’s a bit more quiet. Maybe he needs to be with his family.
“I have played in different countries for big clubs and I am very grateful for that. But I feel at home in England now and it is very similar to my country.”
