Guzan ´overjoyed´ to sign new Villa deal

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan has expressed delight after signing a new four-year deal with the club.

The American was almost ever-present in the Premier League for Paul Lambert’s side last term, making 36 appearances as the Midlands club narrowly avoided relegation.

And he has revealed his joy at being able to extend his stay at Villa Park, which began with his arrival from Chivas USA in 2008.

“For me, it’s an honour and a privilege to play for Aston Villa Football Club and to commit my future long-term. I’m overjoyed by it,” he told the club’s official website.

“To have this opportunity to commit my future, with the plans and the future being what they are going forward, it’s tremendously exciting and I know that’s not just for me but for everybody, including the fans.

“This is what Aston Villa Football Club is all about, we’re a very connected and very committed group and we want to strive to be the best we can possibly be going forward. What we’re building here as a club, what the manager is building could be very special.”

The 28-year-old also underlined his desire for Villa to improve on last season, and avoid being dragged into a dog-fight at the bottom.

“This is just the start now, the start of hard work. We have to build on last year and go forward and that is very much the collective mindset at the club,” he added.

“We grew together as a team last season and now it’s time to kick on again. We’ll welcome the new guys with open arms and allow them to join this special family that we’ve started to create from last season. It’s an exciting time for the club for sure.

“When you bring in new players you have fresh bodies, fresh blood, fresh excitement and you need that to prevent things from becoming stale and guys getting complacent. You want competition for places, you want guys pushing each other and helping each other. When you bring in new faces it lifts everybody.”

Guzan, who has 23 senior caps with the United States, has made 68 appearances for Villa in total.