Brad Guzan has yet to make an Premiership appearance for Aston Villa, but the American has settled in overseas and is relishing the opportunity to challenge for a starting spot on a top English Premier League team.
"Obviously the pace of play is a lot different and is a big adjustment to make," Guzan told Yanks Abroad. "The speed at which the next pass is going, being able to see the game and plays before they happen, is huge."
Aston Villa is currently sixth in the English premier League standings, thanks in part to steady goalkeeping by American veteran Brad Friedel.
"Being able to train with him day in and day out, and take away from experiences he had as a young goalkeeper, is a pretty good situation to be in," Guzan said of Friedel, who, like the former CD Chivas player, made his move to Villa Park over the summer.
"Every day in training I'm learning from him and trying to get better, but also pushing him, and hopefully I'm making him better as well."
Friedel, who has made a total of 360 appearances for five different European teams, has been considered one of the best in the world for years, and Guzan admits there is nobody better to learn from.
"His ability to read the game, see the game, is still there, and that's what makes him one of the best."
Guzan seems to continue to be Bob Bradley's number two choice out of the active goalkeepers in the player pool, and got his ninth cap last week in the away loss to Trinidad and Tobago. |