Shay Given to sign for Aston Villa next week

[emezico]

Aston Villa are hopeful that 35-year-old Shay Given will become their first signing next week, in a £3.5 million move from Manchester City.

Villa are poised to replace Brad Friedel, ho moved to Spurs with Given who wants the chance to play first-team football again.

The two clubs have held talks and sources close to Villa are optimistic a deal will be finalised soon.

Given was the number one at Newcastle for more than a decade before moving to Manchester city two and a half years ago.