RICHARD Dunne is the latest player to join the Brad Friedel appreciation society after hailing the veteran keeper as Villa’s Mr Consistency.

Friedel’s continued his fine form behind the claret and blue backline with a clean sheet in last weekend’s win over Newcastle.

“I think Brad has been the one consistent player over the season,” said Dunne.

“He has been there for every game. He has saved us on numerous occasions and in the last 10 to 15 minutes on Sunday he was brilliant.

“Any corners or crosses or shots he was there to block everything. Having somebody like him behind you is a real confidence booster for a defence.

“Newcastle didn’t have many chances but the odd one they did get on Sunday you always believed Brad was going to block it.”

Dunne joined defensive partner James Collins in praising Friedel, who is hoping to earn a deal to play beyond his 40th birthday next month.

Asked if he himself will play at the top as long as Friedel, Dunne replied: “I very much doubt it, not at his level anyway.

“For any player to be doing it at that age is amazing. It is full credit to him.

“The way he looks after himself and how much he loves his football really show.

“You look throughout the Premier League at the goalkeepers and he is up there with the best of them.”