Why Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan will take Brad Friedel's No 1 shirt sooner rather than later
By James Nursey
Published 09:43 29/10/09
Few Premier League fans will have heard of Aston Villa's No.2 keeper Brad Guzan until this week.
But the 25-year-old American shot-stopper showed what some Villa fans have know for a year - that he could be a superb first choice for them one day.
Guzan received plenty of plaudits this week for his heroics at Sunderland in midweek as Villa progressed in the Carling Cup on penalties.
Guzan, signed from MLS side Chivas in August 2008, saved a spot-kick in normal time before stopping another three in the shoot-out.
And Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes the amiable keeper is destined for big things.
If he didn't have reliable veteran Brad Friedel ahead of him, he would probably already be playing every week in the top-flight.
But whenever I have seen Guzan called upon he has been first class.
I remember last term away in Slavia Prague in the UEFA Cup he virtually single-handedly helped Villa record a vital clean sheet.
And his form in pre-season this summer was a significant reason why Villa won the Peace Cup in Spain.
It will not be long before Guzan gets his chance in the Premier League - and when he does, I don't think Friedel, 38, will get back in at Villa Park.
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