Birmingham, England – Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given will miss a month with a hamstring injury, opening the door for American Brad Guzan to take over the starting role, the English Premier League club said Tuesday.
Given, 35, was injured in a 1-0 loss against Manchester United on Saturday and had to be taken off on a stretcher. Guzan replaced the Ireland international, and is now set for his first extended action since joining Villa in 2008.
"It is disappointing to lose Shay in such circumstances," Villa manager Alex McLeish said. "But unfortunately these things happen in football.
"We have to meet these challenges and we will. We have total faith in Brad who, as I said after the match on Saturday, can be proud of the way he stepped in when Shay had to come off.
"We will need within the football club for everybody to stick together and that strength of unity will help massively."
Guzan joined Aston Villa from Chivas USA in Major League Soccer, but has only made two appearances for the club. He did have a loan spell with Hull City and the U.S. international played 16 matches during that time.
While Given's hamstring tear was confirmed, Villa was still waiting on news on midfielder Jermaine Jenas, who was also stretchered off against United.
Villa is ninth in the Premiership, and visits Bolton on Saturday.
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