blog.great-save.com

By Danny Wright

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel says results are more important than breaking records.

The veteran stopper played his 167^th consecutive Premier League game in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham, but he insists that results for Martin O’Neill’s side take priority over personal milestones.

He told BBC Sport: “Truth be told, I would’ve preferred to have the three points than a record,”

“It’s a nice achievement but I don’t play this sport for individual achievements.”

Friedel played his first Premier League match just over a decade ago in a Liverpool shirt, ironically against his current club in a 2-1 defeat.

He then went onto play for Blackburn Rovers in an eight year stint that established him as one of the division’s finest keepers.

Martin O’Neill swooped for the 37-year-old in the summer and brought him to the Midlands club, where his top form has continued.

The American was not prepared to get ahead himself though, playing down suggestions that Villa can break into the ‘Top Four’.

“We can’t look ahead at anything. Our next game’s going to be a very tricky Uefa Cup tie at home to Zilina, and I think everyone’s going to expect us to win that game,” he added.