O'Neill backs Guzan to break through
Tuesday December 01 2009
Martin O'Neill has backed Brad Guzan to become Aston Villa's long-term successor to fellow American Brad Friedel as he bids for more Carling Cup glory in tonight's quarter-final with Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Guzan has been used by Villa in the majority of their European and domestic cup matches since he signed from Los Angeles-based Chivas USA in the summer of 2008.
He has made a favourable impression, most notably with four penalty saves against Sunderland, including three in the shoot-out, in the last round of the competition.
O'Neill said: "Brad (Guzan) has come in and done wonderfully well for us anytime he has played for us. He puts himself under this big pressure to be performing at an incredible level in these one-off games.
"My own view is that he is a top-quality keeper in the making, and his performances have shown he is capable of doing that.
"Brad Friedel has proved himself a quality keeper in the Premier League for a long time.
"He is 38 now, won't be going on forever, and my own view is I wouldn't want to be having anyone else around other than Brad Guzan at this minute.
"In time I see no reason why he shouldn't be our keeper for a long, long time if everything works out."
O'Neill admits Villa should be contesting more semi-finals and finals as they look to book a place in the last four. Villa's only silverware in the past 25 years came when winning the League Cup in 1994 and 1996 under Ron Atkinson and Brian Little respectively.
Their only other final appearance during that period was in the 2000 FA Cup when they were beaten by Chelsea.
O'Neill said: "The history of this club would suggest we should be contesting more semi-finals and finals than we have done in recent times."
- John Curtis
