Given eyeing first-team return

Shay Given is disappointed at losing his place in Aston Villa's team, but vowed not to get frustrated as he bids to regain the number one spot. The 36-year-old was dropped by new Villa boss Paul Lambert after the 3-1 defeat by Everton in August and has made only one appearance since, in the Capital One Cup, with Brad Guzan preferred in the Premier League. Given told talkSPORT: "Frustration can sometimes boil over when you're not playing, but for me it's important that I keep my head down and work hard and please God my chance comes round again. "I am gutted that I am not playing in the team, that's natural, and hopefully if I work hard I'll get back in the side." Given is not the only Villa player to have to make do with a place on the bench recently, with striker Darren Bent only a substitute in the last two league games. Given added: "He's frustrated a little bit at the minute of course but we've got (Christian) Benteke, who's a very powerful young forward, and he's done very, very well. It's competition for places and that's what we need."

Source: team_talk