Friedel pleads for Villa unity

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has called on the squad to unite as they battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League.

Villa are 14th in a congested bottom-half of the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

Reports of indiscipline and unrest have dogged the club this season, with players allegedly rebelling against the reign of French manager Gerard Houllier.

But American shot-stopper Friedel insists the players have the talent to secure their survival, if they can overcome their internal divisions.

“We have got a tremendous squad of talented players,” Friedel said.

“We have obviously had ups and downs this season, but we have eight games now to get as many points on the board as possible.”

“We need to all be one. All the stories that have been going about, a lot of them are untrue, it’s people just trying to stir things up because things haven’t been going well on the pitch.”

“But we need to put all that to one side, starting on Saturday (at Everton).”

A veteran of 14 English Premier League campaigns, 39-year-old Friedel has been able to witness first-hand where Villa have gone wrong this season.

“Yes, I have been there every day and I have watched it unfold in front of me,” he said.

“In today’s game players have to take a lot more responsibility than perhaps they do on a daily basis.”

“Once you cross the white line there is no-one there to hold your hand. You have to be out there and you have to win the games.”

“It’s up to us to get enough points to keep us in this division. There is nothing more that needs to be said. Everything that has transpired this season needs to be pushed to one side. There’s no hiding place.”