Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel says leaving Blackburn Rovers in the summer had nothing to do with the arrival of Paul Ince.

"I've done my last three contracts," he told the Daily Mail. "It had nothing to do with Paul Ince arriving as manager.

"Paul is actually a friend of mine from our days together at Liverpool.

"We used to travel to Liverpool together in the car and when Paul was on the shortlist I actually gave John Williams, the chief executive, a very good recommendation.

"You can ask John that.

"Paul did not want me to go, but after talking to Mr Lerner and the manager here I realised it was an opportunity I could not ignore.

"There was no problem between Paul and I. Absolutely not."