Brad Guzan set for new Villa contract

Back-up keeper Brad Guzan is set to be offered a new contract at Villa as he prepares to make his first start in the Premier League tomorrow against Bolton.

The American international joined Villa in July, 2008, but has only two substitute appearances in the English top-flight to his name in the three years he has been at the club.

But with first-choice keeper Shay Given out for a month after he picked up a hamstring injury in Villa's last game against Manchester United, Guzan is set for a run in the side.

And Villa boss Alex McLeish has been so impressed with the 27-year-old that he is ready to extend Guzan's contract which expires next summer.

"We'd been talking about a new deal anyway and I guess that will probably be talked about in the coming few weeks," said McLeish.

"He did hint that possibly he was looking to go and play first-team football somewhere. But, even before Shay got injured we told him we needed him and we valued him."