Friedel might bump Guzan to bench at Villa

The Daily Mirror (UK) is reporting that Aston Villa is attempting to sign 37-year-old American goalkeeper Brad Friedel for two million pounds as a "short-term solution" before going after Wayne Hennessey from Wolves next year.

This move would leave Villa's other goalkeeping target -- fellow American Brad Guzan -- as the odd man out.

Guzan, 23, is still awaiting a work permit so the $4 million move from Chivas USA can be finalized, but if Friedel is the "short-term" solution" and Hennessey is the "long-term solution," what is Guzan? Break only in case of emergency?

Villa, who is owned by American entrepreneur Randy Lerner, could become the new Fulham. In the past they targeted (but didn't sign) U.S. national teamer Frank Simek and they signed 18-year-old American defender Eric Lichaj.

Guzan gets dream move to Villa

According to part-time ESPN writer/blogger, Ives Galarcep, Brad Guzan's English dream has been revived, as the American goalkeeper has been able to secure a work permit from the notoriously stingy British government.

According to the article:

The Chivas USA goalkeeper is heading to Aston Villa on a $1.5 million transfer after Villa and Major League Soccer agreed to the fee and completed the transfer on Friday, sources with knowledge of the deal confirmed to ESPNsoccernet.

Also according to Galarcep, several keepers, including fellow American Brad Friedel, were linked to Villa since the departure of their No. 1 keeper Scott Carson, but Guzan will be the first signed (which, of course, means bunk since they are getting him on the cheap).

This is surprising given the keeper's dreadful form in Major League Soccer this season that some have attributed to a psychological letdown after his "done deal" to England fell through back in January due to work permit issues. Others questioned if the 2007 MLS goalkeeper of the year had the stuff to begin with.

Guzan has a less-than-impressive 1.33 goals against average and is just a game over .500 in 15 games for Chivas USA. At midseason, he has almost allowed as many goals (20) as he did all of last season (25).

As Galarcep writes, Guzan qualified for the work permit only after playing in "five of the U.S. national team's eight matches this year." According to ussoccer.com, however, Guzan played in only four matches this year. He is 2-0 as a starter for the U.S. this year with no goals allowed against Sweden (not bad) and Barbados (clean sheets are a dime a dozen in Barbados). In relief against England and Spain, he allowed England's second (John Terry) and against the European champions, he allowed the winning goal (Xavi Hernandez).

TYH wishes him the best of luck in "Merry ol' Engerlund" but we hope this move doesn't cloud Bradley's judgement on the goalkeeping depth chart. You gave him his four games to help him get over there, but he's not at Tim Howard's level. He isn't better than a healthy Marcus Hahnemann. Old guys Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel are still a nothc above him. He's not even the best keeper in MLS anymore (see Matt Reis).

Here's to hoping he turns his career around, and we're eating our words by year's end.

Villa offer £2m for Simek

He might have fallen off Bob Bradley's radar, but somebody wants him. According to The Times in London, Aston Villa are after American right back Frank Simek, offering a reported £2m for the Sheffield Wednesday defender.

Simek joined Wednesday in 2005 and eventually winning a starting spot and the favor of the fans. Simek received his first cap for the national team last year and most recently played for in the U.S. team that one the 2007 Gold Cup a year ago.

VIlla sign American defender

With Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner's purchase of Aston Villa, the EPL club could be a prime destination for many talented young Americans.

Eighteen-year-old defender Eric Lichaj will join Villa's academy, and attempt to work his way into the reserve squad. Although he trained with the U.S. under-20s prior to the World Cup, Lichaj was not named to the roster that competed in Canada. He was, however, a prominent member of the U.S. U-17s, and was a member of the prestigious Chicago Magic youth club that has produced many MLS stars (such as Ricardo Clark and Ned Grabavoy). He also spent a single year at the University of North Carolina, where he registered no statistics according to their web site.