One to Watch – Brad Guzan

Name: Brad Guzan

Date of Birth: 9/9/1984

Nationality: USA

Former Clubs: Chicago Fire, Chivas USA, Hull City

League Appearances (Goals): 201 (0)

International Appearances (Goals): 27 (0)

Stat of the Day: Brad Guzan has averaged 1.88 saves per game in his eight appearances this season

Player Profile: QPR, much like this Premier League gameweek, came up against an average Villa side, and in dire needs of points, at the backend of the 2012/2013 season, only to be trumped by the outstanding, colossal Brad Guzan who was equal to the likes of Chris Samba, Bobby Zamora and numerous other hopeful QPR attempts on goal that day. The Rs left Villa Park with no points, the image of Guzan`s acrobatics still fresh in their minds and an impending relegation hanging over their heads. Guzan has played in all of Villa`s games since, winning the Player of the Year accolade in that 2013 season, and with the West Midlands side having little to write home about since that last meeting the American goalkeeper has arguably been his side`s outstanding player.

Villa manager Paul Lambert has failed to fashion any sort of attacking flair into his side`s style since his arrival and Guzan has had to have been at his best to keep Villa from relegation and embarrassment on numerous occasions. Admittedly at one point it looked as if the 30-year-old`s Villa Park career was over having been released and re-signed in a matter of days in 2012, but the big shot-stopper has rejuvenated himself under Lambert and has become an integral member of The Scot`s side. The Premier League has a habit of producing impressive American goalkeeper`s and it looks like Guzan is soon to be hailed amongst the likes of veterans Brad Friedel and Tim Howard.

Playing Career:

Brad Guzan, born in Illinois, started off as a goalkeeper in College Football and gave up University after just two years to sign a contract with MLS side Chivas USA in 2005. He made 79 league appearances for LA-based side before coming to the attention of Aston Villa.

The West Midlands side moved to sign the goalkeeper in 2008 for a fee of £600,000 and he made his debut in a 1-0 defeat to QPR in the League Cup in September of that year. He featured mainly in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions for the next two seasons before signing for Championship club Hull City in 2010 on an initial one-month loan deal. He ended up staying at the KC until the end of the season making 16 appearances in total.

In 2012 Villa announced on their website that Guzan was one of three players to be released, but the arrival of Paul Lambert spelled a new opportunity for the goalkeeper and only a few days later had been resigned by the club. He went on to have an outstanding season, following an injury to number one Shay Given, and went on to save Villa from relegation and collect the club`s Player of the Year award along the way

He has made over 100 appearances for Villa and having signed a four-year contract extension in 2013 looks set to be their number one for years to come.