Villa boss urged to sign Shay Given

Published Nov 7, 2016

Last updated Jul 12, 2011

Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov has urged boss Alex McLeish to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given to replace Brad Friedel.

McLeish is believed to be closing in on a £3.5million deal for Given, who wants a starting spot in the Premier League after losing out to England international Joe Hart at Eastlands.

And Petrov revealed that Given is highly regarded among his team-mates and would be a blue chip signing for McLeish.

Petrov said: "Shay is one of the best keepers in this league and if he comes he will be a great signing for us.

"He's got European experience and Premier League experience, so what else do you need? Brad was a big loss, he played a major part at this club and I was sad to see him go.

"He was outstanding for us, for his age and he showed everybody that it doesn't matter how old you are.

"As long as you keep fit and look after yourself, age doesn't matter in football and he's shown that."

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