Aston Villa legend Nigel Spink can understand Shay Given's decision to leave.

Spink was 38 when he decided to end his memorable two-decade spell at Villa to join West Brom after losing the No.1 jersey to Bosnich in 1996.

"I don't know whether it's the club or Shay or both," Spink told the Sunday Mercury.

"We don't know what's gone on behind the scenes and what's happened with Shay and his relationship with the management.

"But Shay was quite influential in Villa getting goalkeeping coach Terry Gennoe, who I think has got a good relationship with Paul Lambert, possibly from Celtic, so there's a bit of harmony there I would think.

"It's like when I left for West Brom. It was the right decision for me at the time. Whether I could have prolonged my time at Villa or not I don't know. I made that decision because I wanted to play again and wanted to wear the No.1 shirt.

"It was hard being the back up goalkeeper, but I think it's even harder now."