Given expecting Villa exit

Shay Given is expecting to leave Aston Villa at the end of the season, according to Sky Sports.

The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper recently returned to Villa Park after a successful loan spell with Championship side Middlesbrough, where he kept ten clean sheets in sixteen matches.

The deal was unable to extended, so the 37 year old is set to remain in the reserves for the rest of the season, unless another side comes in for him before the end of next month.

Given is insistent that Villa want him ‘out of the door’, so he is confident a deal can be struck elsewhere.

The former Newcastle United and Manchester City shot-stopper played thirty-four times in all competitions during his first season with the West Midlands club, but was side-lined following the arrival of Paul Lambert, who has opted to play United States international Brad Guzan ahead of him, with 21 year old Jed Steer as his first choice back-up.