Aston Villa Football Club News

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Alex McLeish

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Competition pleases O'Neill

11 Dec 2008 - 12:14:13

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes goalkeeper Brad Friedel is benefiting from some stiff competition from understudy Brad Guzan.

Freidel, 37, set a new record of 167 consecutive top-flight appearances earlier in the month and has remained one of the most consistent keepers in the Premier League following his arrival from Blackburn Rovers in the summer.

USA international Guzan also joined the Midlands club during the close season and O'Neill is delighted with the strength of his goalkeeping options.

"Brad has been a terrific goalkeeper for a number of years. That was a significant reason for signing him," he told the club's official website.

"His performances have been fantastic for many years.

"There have been one or two games for us where he felt he could have done better.

"He hasn't been completely happy with a few of the goals he has conceded and it's great he is looking at those sorts of things.

"He is a professional still thinking greatly about his game. He has come to Villa and he really wants to prove himself again here.

"That is very encouraging and it's great to have him.

"It's fantastic to have Brad Guzan pushing him too. I think he has real competition.

"When we went to Prague (in the UEFA Cup last month), I thought Brad's performance was terrific. I think that sort of quality competition keeps good players on their toes."