Friedel - oldest Villa player ever?

[placeforparks]

saw this on ESPN, hence the yank-speak, but was surprised at this.

ELDER STATESMAN: Friedel, at 39 years, 260 days, will become the oldest player ever to represent Aston Villa when he steps onto the field Tuesday against Manchester United.

Whether the former U.S. national team goalkeeper and UCLA star will play much beyond 40 isn't certain -- Houllier says he'll assess Friedel's future over the next month -- but he doesn't see why not.

“Age is a number. I don't think about it. I just go by how I feel,” Friedel told the English media last week. “If I feel good and able to play, that makes me happy. If the time comes when I don't feel good, and I'm not able to play, I will start looking to do something else.

“As long as I feel good, I will carry on. I will know closer to the end of the season than right now.”

Friedel, who turns 40 in May, is in his 14th Premier League season -- and third at Aston Villa, following stints with Liverpool and Blackburn. He's started all but three games this season for the Villans (and every game since Sept. 26), forcing backup Guzan to join second-tier Hull City on loan just to get game action. (The former Chivas USA goalkeeper just extended the loan deal through February.)

Friedel, who was on the U.S. roster for the 1994 World Cup, played in the 1998 tournament and was the Americans' No. 1 en route to the 2002 quarterfinals, isn't sure how to feel about becoming Aston Villa's eldest player.

“I don't know if it will be a good thing or a bad thing to be the oldest player ever to play for the club,” he said. “I will continue to just keep myself as fit as possible and hopefully be chosen to play football matches.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/soccer/post/_/id/6054/europe-aston-villa-claims-michael-bradley-for-keeps

[Linus]

That's got to just the "EPL" - players played into their 90s pre-war

[nick harper]

Well done to Brad - fantastic achievement.

From The Telegraph:

Friedel, who made his 250th consecutive appearance in the Premier League against Manchester City earlier in January, is now two days older than Ernest Callaghan, who was 39 years and 257 days when he played for Aston Villa against Grimsby Town in April 1947.

[Legion]

That's got to just the "EPL" - players played into their 90s pre-war

No, it's all-time: Pravda

[DeKuip]

Move over Mush!

[PeterWithesShin]

It'll be me breaking the record soon, once GH realises what a talent is sitting in the stands at VP. I even have the same haircut as big Brad.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Great credit to a top professional .......

[The Left Side]

Great credit to a top professional .......

Absolutely, he has been very good this season but we do need an understudy who will eventually take over between the posts.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Move over Mush!

Oi , Mush Callaghan was one of my Moms favourite players.

[Chico Hamilton III]

He's Mr February on the calendar

[The Situation]

Incredible statistic.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Overall he has done well for the Villa but I don't want to see him in the jersey next year, Wish we'd had him at his peak

[The Situation]

Overall he has done well for the Villa but I don't want to see him in the jersey next year, Wish we'd had him at his peak

What's he done wrong? Still one of the league's top 'keepers despite being the oldest.

Like Friedel said, age is just a number... counts for nothing if you're still putting in solid performances.

[Mazrim]

Its funny that Obafemi Martins has joined Blose over the road now that Friedel becomes Villa's oldest ever player, because he was at Brad's christening.