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Shay Given: conceded nine goals at Euro 2012. Niall Carson/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Given faces fight for number one spot, warns new boss Lambert

After a poor European Championships campaign, the Donegal native now faces a fight for his club jersey.

ASTON VILLA BOSS Paul Lambert warned Shay Given he faces competition for the number one jersey from Brad Guzan.

Guzan was released at the end of last season after spending four years at Villa Park, mostly as a back-up to Shay Given and his compatriot Brad Friedel beforehand.

However, it appears the 27-year-old will agree to a new deal with the Midlands club, to compete with Given for the goalkeeper spot, with Lambert hinting that it would ultimately hinge on who performed best in pre-season.

“It’s near. I know (Guzan) has always had that stigma of being the number two behind some really good goalkeepers,” Lambert told reporters. ”But when you come back at the start of the season nobody knows what’s going to happen and it depends on whoever does well.”

The Irishman was in between the sticks for the majority of last season’s campaign, making 34 appearances in all competitions while Guzan was loaned out to Championship side Hull City.  Guzan took Given’s place while he was out injured, but the American soon returned to the bench after making only a handful of appearances.

Given suffered a torrid summer during the European Championship for Ireland, conceding nine goals in their three group stage defeats.

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17 Comments
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    Mute Brian Horton
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    Jul 10th 2012, 12:13 PM

    Shay is a brilliant keeper. Although he had a bad euros, he can’t take all the blame. We all have bad days. He has been so consistent for so many years but unfortunately never got the silverware he deserved. One of the few world class players we have had!

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    Mute Brian Horton
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    Jul 10th 2012, 2:17 PM

    As an Arsenal supporter, I am gutted that wenger didn’t sign Shay when he could have, as he though he was a bit small. He would done better that flapianski or almunia. They could all have had silverware.

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    Mute Setrakian
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    Jul 10th 2012, 1:19 PM

    Perhaps Lambert should be paying closer attention to the villas back 4! Given is class – simple as!

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    Mute Elmo
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    Jul 10th 2012, 3:46 PM

    Spot on. Villa’s back four were shambolic last season. The entire Irish squad had a terrible Euro campaign, not fair to lump the blame on Given. We could have played two keepers and still conceded as many.
    Lambert is addressing the back four issue, we’ve signed a new right back, and there’s a lot of rumours that he’ll get rid of Hutton if he can, or at least drop him.
    That said, Guzan is a very good keeper. He does deserve more playing time, I’m glad we’re resigning him and I’m glad Lambert is open to the idea of an entirely new starting line up.

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    Mute H-Case
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    Jul 10th 2012, 11:59 AM

    In before the inevitable Shay backlash which surfaced over the Summer.

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    Mute Alan mulvey
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    Jul 10th 2012, 12:20 PM

    villa 2nd keepers is pure shit . what will be no1

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    Mute Gavin Scales Wayne Mckenna
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    Jul 10th 2012, 1:26 PM

    Give Given a run of matches n if he plays like his Euro 2012 disaster, drop him, simple. The Villa 2nd choice keep Guzan is far superior to Shay at handling and commanding his area!

    Lambert is an good appointment to Villa, in comparison to the two goons in before Lambert I as a Villa will accept him and think there will be 5to6 players getting fecked out. And rightly so! Dunne and Clarke for next season at the back! Good for Ireland!

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    Mute Barry Aston
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    Jul 10th 2012, 12:00 PM

    Hell of a nice bloke. Hell of a good goal keeper. Really hope this might give Shay Given motivation and possibly more focus resulting in the form we know. Lambert by the way……. another Villa disaster in the making I feel and if so, might be the complete un-doing of Shay if Villa have another crap season. Hope I’m wrong.

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    Mute Marty
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    Jul 10th 2012, 2:46 PM

    Lambert has been a great success at every club he’s managed. I think Liverpool missed out by targeting Rodgers; Lambert’s track record is far more impressive.

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    Mute Snuffbox
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    Jul 10th 2012, 1:53 PM

    Given won’t come for crosses or corners for some reason. Did it in the euros in all 3 matches.

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    Mute Richard Crompton
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    Jul 10th 2012, 7:12 PM

    @snuffbox do you not mean he didn’t do it in 3 games in Euros?? What ever you mean i disagree with you- Ireland were set out to fail by a negative manager Given took the flak while delaney was gettin carried around drunk in Poznan the muppett!

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    Mute Richard Lennon
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    Jul 10th 2012, 2:10 PM

    Shay is a great goal keeper I met him years ago when he was starting out at the Finn Harps ground. I took a few pens on him and he nearly saved one of them. I was telling all in the pub where I work that he also a very nice man.

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    Mute yasser
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    Jul 10th 2012, 2:18 PM

    Richard I believe you, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Your some crack.

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    Mute Eimear Smith
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    Jul 10th 2012, 2:58 PM

    What’s the name of that pub again?

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    Mute Danny Nash
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    Jul 10th 2012, 2:53 PM

    Given has not been up to his normal standard since he left city

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    Mute Chris lynch
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    Jul 10th 2012, 5:00 PM

    Shay Given or Shay Letin

    Boom Boom

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    Mute Danny McNeive
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    Jul 10th 2012, 4:21 PM

    Always been a great shot stopper imho but cannot or will not come off his line. Makes less mistakes than the likes of David James have but that’s because they go out and claim the ball whereas he’s glued to the line. Defence at Newcastle was crap too – may be at least partially down to having a keeper who doesn’t command his area

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