Villa Keeper Happy To Be Playing

Stuart Taylor says he is ignoring rumours that Villa are after a new goalkeeper and is up for the challenge of deputising for Thomas Sorensen who is out of action for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury.

The former Arsenal man, who will be between the posts in a friendly against Stoke tonight and against Inter Milan on Saturday, told the official site:

'I've got the advantage of getting a few more games to get myself sharper. Pre-season games are all about getting your fitness and sharpness back, so as much as you want to do unbelievably well, it's hard to be at your very best because it's early days. We've certainly got our miles in this pre-season - but it was nice to go out to different places. It makes a change from playing the usual.'

And on the reports of imminent transfer activity bringing in a new goalkeeper he says: 'It doesn't affect me- talk is one of those things that happen in football. If there's money at a club, then you're always going to get linked to players. Until I see anyone at the training ground I take it with a pinch of salt because it's not worth worrying about. I just go into training and plug away every day- that's all I can do.'

Taylor himself was linked with a move earlier this summer, with one report inaccurately claiming he had actually joined Championship outfit Cardiff City.

He was strongly linked with Cardiff this summer but says he knew nothing of the rumour. 'I'm 27 in November and it's my aim to play, but it doesn't always work out like that - clubs have got to want you and you have got to want to go there as well.'