Aston Villa FC

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Friedel eyeing bright future

01 Dec 2008 - 12:44:08

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Aston Villa's veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel has no plans to retire just yet, having set a new record of 167 consecutive Premier League appearances at the weekend.

The 37-year-old American surpassed the previous mark set by David James in the goalless draw against Fulham and is confident of carrying on for some time to come.

He said: "If the truth be told, I would have preferred to have walked away with the three points as opposed to breaking the record.

"But the record has been broken. I just hope I can continue to keep myself fit and continue to help Aston Villa win as many football matches as we can.

"How long can it go on? I've got two-and-a-half years left on my contract and anticipate staying as fit as possible and hopefully in as good a form as possible to go forward. We will see where that takes us."

Friedel had won praise from Villa boss Martin O'Neill ahead of the clash with the Cottagers, with the Irishman adding: "It is remarkable in this day and age, whether you a keeper or not, to play that number of games consecutively.

"Well done to him. During the last eight or nine years, from leaving Liverpool to the career he has had at Blackburn, Brad has been so consistent.

"Last year was maybe his best-ever season and he wants to try and emulate that this year with us."