Shay Given

An experienced goalkeeper who signed for Aston Villa in July 2011.

He was the club’s first choice ‘keeper throughout the 2011-12 campaign, when he was ever-present in Barclays Premier League matches apart from a five-week spell in mid-season when he was ruled out with hamstring trouble.

Shay started his career as a youngster with Celtic, then had a spell with Blackburn, but it was only when he signed for Newcastle United in 1997 that his career began to take off. He spent 12 years on Tyneside, making over 350 appearances for the Magpies before moving on to Manchester City.

He was an ever-present in League games from his arrival at Eastlands in February 2009 until the start of the 2010-11 season, when he lost out to Joe Hart.

Shay won his first cap for the Republic of Ireland against Russia in March 1996 and went on to become his country’s most capped player with 125 appearances before announcing his retirement from international football in August 2012.