Shay Given not daunted by five-year Aston Villa contract

Shay Given has said that he is not daunted by the five-year contract he recently signed for Aston Villa.

The deal will take Given into his 40th year, but the Republic of Ireland international insists that questions about age do not affect him.

"I'm not frightened by the five years, I'm quite looking forward to a great spell at Aston Villa," he said.

"You look at Brad Friedel, who's 40 and just signed a two-year contract at Tottenham, and Edwin van der Sar, who was 40 last season and probably had one of the best seasons of his career, so in terms of age I want to play football as long as I can."

Given moves to Villa Park from Manchester City where he did not play a Premier League game last season, but he said that he remains confident about playing in England's top flight.

"I think my confidence is okay because the Ireland games kept me going," he said.

"You do get a little bit rusty because you're not playing so many games, but I'm excited to be getting back and getting match-sharp again."

The goalkeeper has had previous spells at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.