Shocked Shay Given gets all clear to face Man Utd

Villa keeper Shay Given was today declared available for the visit of Manchester United at the weekend despite his emotional trauma following the death of close friend Gary Speed.

The 35-year-old struggled to hold back the tears during Villa's goalless draw with Swansea last Sunday having heard only a few hours before the match that the Wales boss had taken his own life.

Given has received the support of team-mates and coaching staff in what has been a tough week for the Ireland international.

And he has assured Villa boss Alex McLeish that his mind will be "in the right place" for the visit of the Premier League champions as the claret and blues prepare for their third televised game in a row.

"Shay has been training as normal and he has got on with it. He is still shell-shocked, like a lot of the boys," said McLeish.

Meanwhile, Villa were today being linked with a move for Portugal international Yannick Djaló who is the subject of a dispute between Sporting Lisbon and French club Nice.

The 25-year-old forward joined Nice on deadline day of the summer transfer window, but FIFA rejected the move as the Ligue 1 officials only received the transfer documents after midnight, when the market was already closed.

A complex legal case followed but there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel with sources in Portugal claiming Villa are closing in on a possible loan.