Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel isn't surprised by Brad Guzan's success at Aston Villa.

Friedel feels Villa always saw fellow American Guzan as a long-term No1.

"When he first arrived, I spotted immediately that he had things you just couldn't coach - bravery and a base of power and strength," Friedel told Villa's website.

"That was instilled in him so there wasn't a whole lot of pushing you had to do. He is a self-motivated fellow too. From what I have seen of Brad, I see a goalkeeper who can have many, many years ahead of him in the Premier League, which is great. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

"We saw immediately what a great player he was when he stepped through the doors at Bodymoor Heath.

"I don't think the management staff signed him to be a No.2 for his entire stay. They bought him to groom him to be No.1.