Given’s Time Nearing End at Villa

Shay Given’s time as a player with Aston Villa is nearing its end as he has been the 3rd choice goalkeeper behind Brad Guzan and Jer Steer since the past season and even though the veteran shot-stopper was promoted to the coaching staff of the club, the Irishman is eager on getting more playing time.

Middlesbrough managed to sign Shay Given on a loan deal and he became a fan favorite with the Championship league club after making a series of superb performances as he secured a string of clean sheets along the way.

The 38 years old Irishman explained to the media that he has already been in contact with the manager of Aston Villa and he will be willing to let him go in the summer when the transfer window opens and all that he wishes to do, is get into a club where he can get a higher chance of getting into the first team.

“The manager and the club have said they would let me go if somebody came in. It’s quite clear with the budget the manager has here and the cutbacks to be made, but I still feel I’ve got plenty of time left in my career.
“When you train all week and do all the work in the gym, you question yourself because there’s no game at the end of it. Hopefully something will happen in the summer and I can get playing again. People do forget you, but that’s why my time on loan at Middlesbrough was important.’’ Given revealed.

At his age, Given is reaching the last few stages of his career and the next club he joins will probably be his last one. It would be a wise choice for him to enter a club where he can get secured playing time.

Given’s time in the Championship league has been nothing short of amazing and his string of performances has sparked the interest of a number of clubs who are willing to offer the Irishman a contract for up to 2 years where he will be playing the last few seasons of his professional competitive career.