Stuart Taylor revealed that Brad Friedel played a major part in his decision to leave Aston Villa and join Gareth Barry at Manchester City. The former England Under-21 goalkeeper turned to Villa's number one for advice, with the American having played under Mark Hughes at Blackburn for three years, reports the Birmingham Mail.

"I talked to Brad for some advice and he couldn't speak highly enough of the manager and his goalkeeping coach Kevin Hitchcock," Taylor said.

"He has a high regard for Kevin as a person as well as a coach and I can't wait to start.

"This is a fantastic club to be joining, a club that is going places with a great new owner and a manager I have a lot of respect for."