Guzan's Slice Of The Action

Brad Guzan is punch drunk that Villa have made the final of the Peace Cup and he believes it's a 'big deal' for the club, and hopefully a sign of many more finals in the future.

Speaking on the official site Guzan said that the first half performance by the team was key to our victory, and for the first time in a long time (I'm saying this, Brad didn't) we actually played for the whole 90 minutes.

'It's a massive achievement for us all.

'When we started in this competition, we understood it was a pre-season tournament. But we also knew - with any competition - there would be a final.

'To have the chance to now play in that is a big deal. We're now in there and we need to take our form into Sunday.

'Our first half display against Porto was excellent. We were very aware that our first half performance against Atlante was simply not good enough.

'We knew - to beat Porto - it was going to take good football over 90 minutes. We wanted to start the right way.

'In that opening 45 minutes I thought we were brilliant - we were flying around and that paid off in the end when that final whistle blew.'

Nobody can doubt the commitment of the players last nights, it was a true battling performance with some great skillful moments, and Guzan stands out for the solo moments.

Many of us have wondered whether he would make the grade, and although he still needs to be tested on crosses, his shot stopping and reactions against Porto have probably won over many a doubter.

Let alone the beautiful sight of seeing an angry American screaming, shouting and organising his defence perfectly, so his comments on his own performance - well mildly understated if the truth be told.

'I just see it as a case of trying to help the team out as much as I can. That's my job as a goalkeeper.

'There was a chance where the ball was bouncing around in the six yard box. Luckily I managed to get a hand to it.

'Then with another one, their player came at me and I managed to push him wide. I tried to make myself big and cut down the angles.

'But the credit goes to the boys - they played fantastic.'

It's hardly like he did anything in the second half if you listen to him.

Brad take a bow, and in the future when you pull off so many fantastic saves brag about it, at least one article!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.