Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was full of praise for Brad Freidel after their 1-0 victory over West Ham.

Friedel, 37, again proved himself to be one of the signings of the season by keeping out Craig Bellamy, Carlton Cole and Calum Davenport with his best saves at Upton Park.

O'Neill, who bought Friedel for £2million from Blackburn in the summer, said after the 1-0 win: "He was really class. He's come up big for us.

"I was comparing that to Peter Schmeichel being sensational for Manchester United and I played with two unbelievable keepers - Pat Jennings and Peter Shilton.

"Friedel has not played all those games for Blackburn and us not to be considered as good as anyone else. Today he was outstanding and it would have been something special to have beaten him."