Source: Daily_Mail
Life begins at 40! Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel vows to play for as long as he can walk
Veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel insists he has no intention of hanging up his gloves even though he will turn 40 next year. [LNB]Aston Villa's American stopper says he is feeling better than ever and is benefiting from his years of experience. [LNB]Friedel told www.avfc.co.uk: 'Every time you get a year older, people want to talk about you being in this form or that form and think it has to do with age. [LNB] No plans to retire: Villa goalkeeper Friedel insists he will play for as long as he can [LNB]'I feel fantastic physically. Age is no issue at the moment at all, except the experience helps. [LNB]'I feel physically the same way as I did when I was 25. There aremany goalkeepers around the league who would say the same, like DavidJames, Edwin Van Der Sar and Mark Schwarzer. 'I hope to continue for aslong as I can't walk basically.' [LNB]Friedel, who faces one of his old sides Blackburn in the last matchof the season, believes that the focus on keepers at the top level isso intense that it can be more difficult for younger players. [LNB] Veteran: Pompey goalkeeper David James is 40 in August[LNB][LNB] He added: 'It's such a mental position. In games you go throughperiods of time where you don't actually interact in the play. For thatreason you have to be mentally strong. [LNB]'You also have to be mentally strong when you make a mistake andbounce back because generally the mistake a goalkeeper makes will leadto a goal.[LNB]'When you're younger you feel the eyes of the country and even theeyes of the world are upon you. Sometimes when you're younger it'sdifficult to bounce back from that. [LNB]'When you're older instances like that are easier to come through. 'But, you never like to make a mistake. I still have sleepless nights.'[LNB] Chelsea 2 Aston Villa 1 (3-2 agg): Clifford's gem seals FA Youth Cup winMan City 3 Villa 1: Mancini's men are Villains to set up Spurs sudden deathUpbeat Martin O'Neill looks set to stay in charge of Aston VillaASTON VILLA FC
