Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given is ready to face Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

The last time they met was on the international stage and Henry's infamous 'Hand of Frog' controversy.

Asked if he regards Henry as a cheat, Given's answer was as clear as it was unexpected.

"No, I don't," he replied. "I think some really harsh stuff has been written about him but I don't follow that line of thought. He handballed it and players do that sometimes. His was quite a blatant one and he probably thought himself that the referees would pick it up. But I don't blame him.

"In a sense it wasn't even Thierry Henry's fault, it was the officials who never saw it. I know he handballed it but it was SO blatant we felt the officials should have picked it up, yet they didn't. Of course it was disappointing, especially all through the summer when the World Cup was on.

"It was disappointing to think we could, should have been there probably. But it's water under the bridge now. It was hard at the time for the players and the Ireland fans. But you move on in football and you move on in life.

"I certainly do not hold grudges. I just want to keep Thierry Henry quiet on Sunday for Aston Villa's sake - not for what he did two years ago."