Brad Friedel vital to Aston Villa win, says Gabriel Agbonlahor

Oct 19 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Mail

GABBY Agbonlahor was full of praise for goalkeeper Brad Friedel after he buried a first-half mistake against Chelsea to reply with some crucial saves to ensure all Villa’s hard work was not wasted.

Friedel was at fault for Didier Drogba’s opener when he failed to get behind the ball as it bounced, but he made amends in fine style to deny Florent Malouda and Deco to protect Villa’s lead.

Agbonlahor believes the way the keeper turned his luck around shows what a great character he is and how vital he is to Martin O’Neill’s side.

“You get those freaky goals when the ball bounces up,” he said. “There must have been a bit of water there and it bounced higher but Brad made up for it with all the other saves he made. That shows the great character he is.”

The young England striker said experience counted for everything.

“Other keepers may have had their heads down but he has got great experience,” he said. “He has been playing for years.

“He wasn’t going to let one mistake affect him. He came back and made some superb saves.’’

Agbonlahor revealed the set-pieces had been well-rehearsed.

“We have been working on set-pieces and it showed. We have got the two big centre-halves who are good in the air and attack the ball well.

“They have already made a big impact. In every game they have been solid and we are not conceding many goals.”