Brad Guzan grateful to fellow Aston Villa keeper Shay Given

Brad Guzan today hailed the support Shay Given has shown him this season even though he has taken his fellow Aston Villa goalkeeper's place between the sticks.

Given, 36, was axed by manager Paul Lambert after just two games of the campaign and, with the exception of a couple of matches in the Capital One Cup, Guzan has been ever present since.

"He's been brilliant and a true professional. For me to be able to work with someone like Shay on a day-in day-out basis is only going to help me," said Guzan.

"So I am going to continue to try to pick his brain and see what he says about certain situations. That is what we do. We push each other in training and hopefully I make him a better goalkeeper; I know he makes me a better one.

"It's the same with Andy Marshall and the young goalkeepers at the club as well. We have a big goalkeeping family here if you like and we try to push each other.

"Hopefully you can play your part in helping the team and I have to say Shay has been fantastic on and off the pitch. He's a big character and has been fantastic towards me."

* Villa have been linked with a move for Red Star Belgrade youngster Filip Jankovic. The Serbia Under-17 international was also reported to be a target of Roma.