Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan feels the club's young defenders deserve credit for last season.

Guzan appreciates that it was particularly hard for Villa's young defenders to deal with the rigours of the Premier League but believes they deserve a lot of credit.

He said: "For them to learn as they went along - some new guys, some younger faces that have learnt on the job - was a tough ask. But they just got on with it, and that's a test of their mental strength and focus.

"As a group we have definitely got stronger, physically and mentally."