Aston Villa FC

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• Manager:Gerard Houllier

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O'Neill hails Friedel impact

09 Sep 2008 - 06:55:43

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Martin O'Neill believes his Aston Villa side is built on the strongest of foundations in veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

The 37-year-old shot-stopper joined the Midlands club from Blackburn Rovers in July and impressed O'Neill after keeping his first clean sheet in the goalless draw with Liverpool before the international break.

Villa paid around £2.5million to land the former USA international.

"I think that Brad Friedel is an immense signing. I'm absolutely delighted and he's already had an influence on the players in front of him," O'Neill told the club's official website.

"He's talking them through things, telling them where to go.

"The start he's made has been incredibly encouraging. Add to that the obvious fact that he's an absolute quality goalkeeper.

"We went into this summer just looking to get a bit more solidity at the back. That was something we didn't possess last year when we conceded a lot of goals. We've tried our best to rectify that.

"Defenders respond to a very commanding goalkeeper and Brad has definitely got that presence that you want at the back.

"He's a very experienced goalkeeper and I'm delighted with the start he's made."