Aston Villa goalkeeper warns against complacency

Dec 19 2008 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

BRAD Friedel has warned Villa their European wobble could easily strike closer to home if they lose concentration over the festive period.

Martin O’Neill’s men travel to West Ham tomorrow night looking to climb to third after wins over Everton and Bolton.

The veteran American goalkeeper was one of eight first-teamers rested for the UEFA Cup match at Hamburg in midweek.

The gloom of that defeat should be lifted with a win over one of Friedel’s all-time footballing heroes, Gianfranco Zola, and his inconsistent team.

“Every single game that we play now in the Premier League is a huge game, whether it is top or bottom of the league because we know how good teams are,” Friedel said.

“Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are not going to slip up too many times.

“Every time that you rise a place in the league it gives you confidence. But even if we win we can’t get too carried away.

“If we’re not careful it can all change very quickly. Football is a cruel game sometimes so it is up to us to stay focused.

“West Ham will be confident after they got a very good result at Stamford Bridge so it is not going to be easy.”

Friedel says Villa cannot consider themselves a top-four outfit at this stage of the season.

“It would be great to be known as one of those clubs and