Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan remains in the dark over who will get the Wembley No 1 jersey ahead of Brad Friedel next month.

The battle between the American duo to start in next month’s Carling Cup final is hotting up after understudy Guzan, who has played in every round of the competition to date, failed to entirely convince in both legs of Villa’s 7-4 aggregate semi-final victory over Blackburn.

But Guzan hopes to have done his enough to keep his place to face either Manchester City or Manchester United.

He said: “Was I promised the Cup games? No, I think it has just kind of worked out that way. Anytime you can get a game whether league or not you want to put your best foot forward.

“For the players and the management, the final is a long time away. We have a lot of games before that. When we get there we will cross that bridge. I definitely hope to play though. I think everyone in the dressing room would like to play in the final.

“There are not many opportunities you get to play in the final. We all appreciate it is massive.”

Guzan admitted last week’s second leg was the most important match he’s ever been involved in.

He added: “With me not getting a run of games it was definitely the biggest game of my career. It was exciting and you cherish those moments as a player.

“It is exciting times. The only comparison would be international qualifying for the World Cup. It has maybe the same pressure to it a bit. Those are probably two of the biggest games.”

But Guzan insists the competition between him and Friedel is bringing the best out of both of them.

The 25-year-old said: “Friedel has been fantastic and a true professional. We have a good working relationship, on the field and off the field. I think in anything you do you are striving to get to the top. He knows that and I am obviously an up and coming goalkeeper that is trying to push for playing time.

“He respects that and it has done nothing but help our working relationship. I think I can help him get better and he can help me get better.”