Aston Villa Football Club News

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

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42,584

Guzan earns O'Neill's backing

01 Dec 2009 - 16:47:28

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is confident that Brad Guzan will eventually be the undoubted first-choice goalkeeper for the Midlands club.

The 25-year-old American has impressed O'Neill since moving to Villa Park in the summer of 2008, despite having had to act as back-up to compatriot Brad Friedel for most of his time with Villa.

O'Neill told the Express & Star: "Brad Friedel has proved himself a quality keeper in the Premier League for a long time and it's been great for him.

"He is 38 now, he won't be going on forever and I wouldn't want to be having anyone else around other than Brad Guzan.

"I'm not looking elsewhere for anything. I know it is an old cliche, but if you wanted someone in the trenches with you, Brad Guzan would be the man.

"I see no reason why he shouldn't be our keeper for a long, long time if everything works out."

"His performances and whole demeanour around the club have made Brad Friedel refocus again. Not that he has ever free-wheeled, but there is no chance of it happening because Guzan has been so good."