Alex McLeish believes newly signed Shay Given will be a huge success at Aston Villa – EPL News
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has hailed the signing of goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Shay-Given-c33284, claiming that the Villans have landed one of the best shot-stoppers in the Barclays Premier League.
After being heavily linked with a number of goalkeepers to replace http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brad-Friedel-c7953, Aston Villa officially confirmed the capture of Given from Manchester City.
Last season, Given grew out of favour with the Man City management as he lost his first team berth to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Joe-Hart-c18699 and played just one match. McLeish believes that the 35-year-old will prove his worth with more first team opportunities at the Villa Park.
“Shay has come here probably with something of a point to prove and that won't do any harm at all.” McLeish told Aston Villa’s official website.
Given has been plying his trade in the Barclays Premier League for the past sixteen seasons and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best in the business. The 35-year-old has racked up 547 matches appearances in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 and McLeish believes that
the Irish international’s vast experience will be beneficial to Aston Villa next season.
The Villans’ manager reiterated that Aston Villa have signed one of the best goalkeepers, who will provide stability and strength at the Villa Park next season.
“Everybody who has watched him perform over many years in the Premier League will know his pedigree, so we believe we have secured the services of one of the best goalkeepers in the business,” Aston Villa manager stated.
McLeish hailed Given’s extraordinary qualities and stated that he is proud to have made the former Manchester City goalkeeper his first signing at the club.
“He's a real competitor and a world-class keeper and I'm delighted he's the first signing I've made at Villa,” the Villans manager concluded.
Given will make his Aston Villa debut in a friendly against Walsall on Thursday.
After securing the services of Shay Given, McLeish is now looking to add a couple of attacking players to his current squad. The Lions have run out of options in their attacking department following the exodus of Ashley Young and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stewart-Downing-c34221 to Manchester
United and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 respectively.
The Birmingham-based club have been heavily linked with Wigan Athletic’s want-away winger, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Charles-c8808 N’Zogbia. Moreover, it has also been reported that Villa have already made a £10 million bid for the French international which was rejected by Wigan. The
Latics are seeking £20 million for N’Zogbia and the Villans would have to increase their offer in order to attain the winger’s services.
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