Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: Dan Jones 
Date:Monday April 6 2009
Time: 8:16AM
UK time is: 15:41:02
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Joe Hart, Please
Dear Mr O`Neill
When we signed Brad Friedel, I was delighted. Following a disappointing season from young on-loan keeper Scott Carson, I felt he was the type of player we needed, one of the league`s finest and most consistent keepers of the last 10 years, a player that would keep goal for 2 seasons allowing our other new signing Brad Guzan to learn and develop away from the limelight. Guzan would eventually take over in 2010/11 season, I and many others thought.
As the season has gone on, Friedel has continued to be as solid as ever, however in recent weeks he has appeared to be slow coming off his line and has picked up a tendency to palm shots away from the goal, and on occasion into the path of the oncoming attacker. This leads me to believe that Brad may well be past his best.
As the side build for what will hopefully be our second challenge for a top4 spot, next season, I would certainly hope that we consider whether Friedel is the best option the club has, I am not suggesting we throw young Guzan into the fray or indeed show Friedel the door. What I am suggesting is that we take a look at young Joe Hart, who appears to be out of favour at Manchester City. I personally feel that he fits the bill, not only is he a hot prospect but he is also young, English and perhaps most importantly, ambitious. He wants to be England`s Number One, and with David James getting older each season, Hart has to be one of the favourites to step up when James hangs up his boots. However for this to happen he needs to be playing regularly for a top club, and I would like to think that could be us.
Don`t get me wrong, I am a big fan of Brad Friedel and he has played a big part in our push for top4 this season; however I am just wondering if maybe Joe Hart could be the Keeper to take us to that next level.
So Mr O`Neill, please consider a move for young Joe in the summer, he could prove to be one of the best signings you ever make.
Thanks for taking the time to read my letter and good luck for the rest of the season.
Yours sincerely
young_jonah
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
For the very latest Premier League odds
Free £15 bet when you spend £5 on The New Football Pools
Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.
Your Comments
I could never understand why we let David James go, still can't. Yes he made a few gaffs (which keepers don't) but mainly because he was positive in coming out for the ball and was amongst the best ball stoppers I've seen. Ho hum. We certainly need another keeper, Guzan I am not sure is ready and Friedel is getting on a bit!
The Fear
Hindsight is a wonderful thing Fear, at the time I didn't think James was that good, but haven't seen the player he became and the keepers we had since, I wish we kept him. But anyway to the here and now, Joe Hart please!!!
young_jonah
I meant having seen the player he became not haven't seen, because I have seen, confused? Me too.
young_jonah
Trust me, from a Rovers fan - it would be a mistake to write off Brad, he is still the best.
Mikey D
Mikey D, Friedel has been good this season, but he not the keeper he was at Blackburn. I remember seeing him playing for your boys against Man Utd this time last season, it was the best goalkeeping performance i have EVER seen, he was immense, nothing like that yesterday unfortunately.
young_jonah
no YJ, said the very same thing at the time, I was shocked we'd dished him out to get someone at the end of their career (publicity stunt!)
The Fear
Could argue that we have got someone in at the end of their career again............
young_jonah
Whilst Brad Friedel has been rather disappointing, there is a reason why Joe Hart was dumped at Man City. He may be English, and he may be young, but he's also a bit crap.
I don't think Brad Snr is particularly helped by having an ever changing defence in front of him that continues to make stupid, schoolboy mistakes. And that includes Golden Balls Curtis Davies who seems to me to be just another Titus Bramble.
CustardCream
Joe Hart, crap? He has made the odd error, but he is a young lad learning his trade, i would not describe he as 'crap' though.
young_jonah
I'd rather have Kirkland. Hart would be another gamble of the Carson nature in my opinion. Not enough experience. Kirkland is top drawer.
DeanoVilla
Kirkland would be a cracking signing
young_jonah
Hey guys, the plan at City is for Hart to learn off Given. He is only 21 and some way off being the finished article but he has loads of time. If he went to Villa it would be a sideways move for him since you seem to be sliding down the table and as of next season we'll be going up it. If you're desperate to spend money then take a look at a lad called Vassell. Not a goalie but he's a villain and has loads of pace.
kennyclementstache
Hart is not the player he was 2 seasons ago and like many "young English" Keepers, his career is going backwards. He's not even knocking on the door at Man City, what makes you even suggest he would be better than either Brad? Foster will be the long term England replacement for Jame's. Fergie will allow him to play more of a part next season or maybe loan him out. I know its about opinions YJ but i would be questioning MON's sanity if he signed Hart as an automatic No1!
meyouldy
As the letter says Meyouldy, I am not suggesting Friedel be shown the door, Hart would have to earn his place in the side.
young_jonah
Agreed that Brads agility isnt what it used to be. I think a younger keeper would have got down to Ronaldos 2nd goal but saying that< Bradz experience is 2nd to none. Tim howard for me please!
medzy
Kirkland is great and would be immense if only he wasn't another sicknote.
Villan Of The North
Not at all convinced by Joe Hart, although admittedly I haven't seen too much of him, but even if he is the bee's knees, I can only see City allowing him to go out on a twelve month loan deal at best.
glensider
Where's the next Nigel Simms or Colin Withers, Jimmy Rimmer or Nigel Spink? Decent keepers seem in very short supply right now, hence the reason Brad Friedel remains one of the very best out there. Whether young Guzan is up to the task is still open to debate. Personally I doubt it, but shouldn't he be given an opportunity first?
glensider
joe hart is good yeah, but i reckon if we could get ben foster he would do well at villa
jimjim96
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
The Vital Villa Player Of The Season Is... (Thursday May 23 2013)
Bumper Transfer News - SOME Inward! (Thursday May 23 2013)
New Contracts? Better Deals? It's Only Money!! (Thursday May 23 2013)
Petrov Delighted With Assistant Coach Role (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Broadcasting Revenue For AVFC For 2012/13 Season (Wednesday May 22 2013)
N'Zogbia Exit And £5m Given To Keeper? (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Villa's Pre Season Schedule (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Vlaar Pleased With First Good Touch Of The Game (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Villa Season Ticket Help Sessions (Tuesday May 21 2013)
They Think It's All Over - Not Yet - Soccer Sevens (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | Pride of Lions | 997 |
| 2. | The Fear | 766 |
| 3. | BodyButter | 502 |
| 4. | kefkat | 409 |
| 5. | CDX_EIRE | 328 |
| 6. | ClivetheVillan | 304 |
| 7. | Villan57 | 244 |
| 8. | thefacehead | 241 |
| 9. | DeanoVilla | 230 |
| 10. | James06 | 198 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Wigan | 2 | - | 2 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 1 | - | 2 | Chelsea |
| Norwich | 1 | - | 2 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 6 | - | 1 | Sunderland |
| Man Utd | 3 | - | 0 | Aston Villa |
| Aston Villa | 1 | - | 1 | Fulham |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 12. Fulham | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | -10 | 43 |
| 13. Stoke | 38 | 9 | 15 | 14 | -11 | 42 |
| 14. Southampton | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | -11 | 41 |
| 15. Aston Villa | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | -22 | 41 |
| 16. Newcastle | 38 | 11 | 8 | 19 | -23 | 41 |
| 17. Sunderland | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | -13 | 39 |
| 18. Wigan | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | -26 | 36 |
Breaking League News
| Transfer Targets: Potential summer signings - P1
» Reading : 23/05/2013 13:35:00
|
| Liverpool: May's Player Of The Month
» Liverpool : 23/05/2013 13:28:00
|
| Martinez back in as favourite
» Everton : 23/05/2013 13:25:00
|
| Turkish Striker Interest Registered!
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:07:00
|
| Match Day Moments - Man City (USA)
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:06:00
|
| Mourinho Arrives at Chelsea in £50 Million Deal
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:04:00
|
| Chelsea - Rooney Is Leaving United!
» Chelsea : 23/05/2013 13:03:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|
1 © - All content copyright Vital Network Ltd, not to be reproduced without explicit permission Copyright Issues
Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.