Dunne admits Given faces pressure replacing Friedel at Aston Villa

Richard Dunne says incoming Aston Villa signing Shay Given will have pressure on him to perform.

Dunne admits Manchester City goalkeeper Given has big gloves to fill following Brad Friedel’s move to Tottenham, but he is convinced Shay will become an instant hit on the terraces and in the dressing room.

And clean sheets in his last four winning appearances for Ireland suggests that the lad from Lifford is as sharp as ever and continuing to make spectacular saves to protect his goal.

“Brad has been such a good keeper for Villa, and every team he’s played for, but unfortunately he’s moved on,” Dunne told the Sunday Mercury. “If you’re going to lose Brad I don’t think there’s a better replacement than Shay.

“I think he’ll step in and he’ll be a fan favourite straight away because he makes spectacular saves that sometimes don’t look possible. He’s a good lad to have around the training ground, he mixes in and works hard in training.

“He’s going to bring a bit more experience to the team as well, which will help over the course of the season.

“I think players who can come and fit straight in to the squad will settle quicker. It’ll help them and it’ll help the team.

“Shay will come in and within a week it’ll seem like he’s been here a long time. We lost a few players during the summer, so we need to get a few in with some experience. I think Shay is a great start.

“He’s not played many club games recently but he’s played every international. When he’s turned up he’s been brilliant.

“He played three or four internationals at the end of the season and he didn’t concede a goal.

“Shay, like I said, is the ultimate professional. Whether he’s playing or not he’s always keeping himself fit and charged, so I don’t think that’ll be a worry for him.”

 
It's kicking off again! Click here for your No1 source for Aston Villa transfer market news and gossip.