Villa rally for grieving Shay Given

Richard Dunne today promised Villa's players will support goalkeeper Shay Given as he comes to terms with the death of close pal Gary Speed.

Given's friendship with Speed blossomed during their days as team-mates at Newcastle and they lived in close proximity to each other in the north west when the Ireland international moved to Manchester City.

The 35-year-old keeper broke down in tears during Villa's match against Swansea on Sunday with the raw emotion when news broke ahead of the goalless draw that the Wales boss had taken his own life that very morning.

"It was Shay who told the rest of us," said Dunne.

"Shay was really good, close friends with him. We were all devastated. He was such a legend of the game and he has doing so well for Wales, too, as national manager.

"Shay was inconsolable. He was hit the hardest out of the squad and it was a testament to his professionalism that he completed the game against Swansea.

"He will be down for a while because it was a close friend of his.

"The lads are still in shock. There are more important things than football and everyone's thoughts are with Gary's wife, children and his entire family.

"I played with Gary at Everton when I was a young lad. Everyone who has come across him in the game knows what a good fella he was. It's hard to describe the feelings. It's hit everyone who loves football very hard indeed."

Villa boss Alex McLeish revealed that Ireland international Given came close to pulling out of the match and that he gave a few of his players the option to sit it out – as Liverpool's Wales striker Craig Bellamy did for the Reds against Manchester City.

"Shay was extremely upset and had tears in his eyes at the beginning of the game," added McLeish.

"I was very worried about losing Shay beforehand. He was very upset but he managed to get his head round it.

"James Collins was white as a sheet, while Jermaine Jenas, who played as Gary Speed's midfield partner at Newcastle, was extremely distraught.

"I did ask them if they wanted to play and Shay showed his concentration and pulled off a great save when we needed it."