Aston Villa: Martin O'Neill reveals the secret of Brad Friedel's success
MARTIN O’Neill insists Brad Friedel is reaping the rewards of living very well after hailing the Villa veteran’s goalkeeping master-class.
Friedel produced a series of super saves to shut out Birmingham and clinch his 15th clean sheet of the Premier League season.
The 38-year-old is level with Chelsea’s Petr Cech and one behind Liverpool’s Pepe Reina in the Golden Glove race.
“He was absolutely fantastic,” said O’Neill. “He’s got great experience, great ability.
“The one where Jerome went through in the first-half, he used that experience brilliantly, stayed up, didn’t decide to dive in and take the chance that we might get some players back on the line.
“That was fantastic reading of the situation and some of the saves in the second-half were fantastic.
“He works exceptionally hard, he lives very well indeed and he’s been terrific for us in the two years that he’s been here,” he said.
O’Neill also saluted match-winner James Milner, adding: “He’s had a great, great season.
“I was delighted that the players entrusted him with the ball.
“He’s missed one or two in his time, so has John Carew, so has Ashley Young, but in a big moment like that he put one away at Wembley and did so again today.
“It was a big moment. He’s a great player and he’s going to get better.”
