Aston Villa boss O’Neill delighted with American keepers

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has an affinity with American goalkeepers and believes the ones he has worked with are some of the best to play the game.

Currently on his books are star shot-stoppers Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan who are the number one and two selections at Villa Park but O’Neill’s connection with US glovesmen does not stop there.

During his management days at Leicester City, O’Neill oversaw current Seattle Sounders goalie Kasey Keller and believes the three in question are up there with two of the best of all time – Pat Jennings and Peter Shilton.

“Kasey did great for me at Leicester,” he said. “He would be launching himself into things on a Friday morning you wouldn’t believe.

“I have worked with good keepers and played with two of the best of all time – Jennings and Shilton – so I’m kind of blessed in that sense.

“Brad Friedel, however, is something else and his attitude is excellent and I think the old experience thing with him is great.”

He continued: “Friedel is a class keeper. I think he would accept that he has got a finite amount of days or weeks or months or whatever. But he’s been terrific. He has been everything we wanted him to be and provided everything you ever wanted him to provide.

“When he came here first you might think, well, he’s been an excellent keeper but maybe with his age you maybe start to wonder whether he’s over the hill or it’s his last hurrah but he’s been terrific. He has been influential. I think it’s been good for Guzan to come in and learn from him and Guzan has also been good for Friedel.

“American keepers have always been really good,” he said. “The first one to come over was Keller. He led the way and when I worked with him at Leicester I was delighted to have him.

“There is something about it (being American). We used to produce all the good keepers in Britain but now I think the USA is leading the way.

“Look at some of the young kids who have seen what these keepers have done in the Premier League and will now think they can emulate it. I am not surprised by their success.

“I think American sports would help keepers. They grow up playing a lot of different sports and play football with their hands.”