Shay Given

[Slim]

Better keeper than they deserve, on villatalk they are not happy.

[Dameerto]

If I was a Villa fan I might have a reservation or two about his shoulder but there's no doubting his ability. I think they have to be among the worst sets of core fans in the league.

[Green & Blue]

One of my all time favourite city keepers, wish we had signed him 10 years earlier.Best of luck Shay.

As good as done now showing clips of him signing autographs in his outside Villas training ground all evening on ssn.

[ross.mcfc]

Gone!

Confirmed by the BBC.

[Goaters 103]

He will remember his time at City fondly, principally because in his career he has one solitary medal - an FA Cup winners one from 2011. Joining Villa is hardly likely to enhance that collection.

[Alioune DVToure]

Best of luck, Shay.

He's a top-class keeper and, by all accounts, a top-class fella so I'm glad he's got a move to somewhere good. It would have been a bit tragic to see him turning out for a shite side with no ambitions.

[Mike J]

superb signing for villa. bargain.

always really liked shay and cannot remeber him really letting us down. hope he does well with villa. i have no doubt he will.

[Green & Blue]

Best of luck, Shay.

He's a top-class keeper and, by all accounts, a top-class fella so I'm glad he's got a move to somewhere good. It would have been a bit tragic to see him turning out for a shite side with no ambitions.

He would never have ended up at a shite side far to good a goalkeeper, very surprised Arsenal did not try for him.

[Goaters 103]

Best of luck, Shay.

He's a top-class keeper and, by all accounts, a top-class fella so I'm glad he's got a move to somewhere good. It would have been a bit tragic to see him turning out for a shite side with no ambitions.

He would never have ended up at a shite side far to good a goalkeeper, very surprised Arsenal did not try for him.

I would seriously doubt the sanity of Mancini and Marwood if we had sold Arsenal or Spurs a decent keeper which Shay is, thus strengthening a direct rival.

[Dameerto]

Very glad we didn't sell to a top six side, he will save (literally) them a fair few points over the season if his shoulder stays in one piece.

[ruralblue]

Don't think he will play many matches for them before his shoulder gives out again. Would like to see a better number two than Stuart Taylor, is that (was he?) bloke from Columbia on a quick loan recall should something happen to Joe Hart?

Bye by the way Given you did a stern job!

[wexfordblue]

Best of luck at Villa Shay.. back where you belong between the posts... Sad to see you go but you're definately not a no.2 keeper

[irblinx]

Sorry to see him go but completely understand that he needs to be playing

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Don't think he will play many matches for them before his shoulder gives out again. Would like to see a better number two than Stuart Taylor, is that (was he?) bloke from Columbia on a quick loan recall should something happen to Joe Hart?

Bye by the way Given you did a stern job!

I would say Stu Taylor is a better keeper than David Gonzalez

[DoomMerchant]

Don't think he will play many matches for them before his shoulder gives out again. Would like to see a better number two than Stuart Taylor, is that (was he?) bloke from Columbia on a quick loan recall should something happen to Joe Hart?

Bye by the way Given you did a stern job!

I disagree that Shay will play only a few matches for them. I think he can see out his contract as their number 1 and be a legend for them. They won't do better than him.

Thanks seamus. You were what we needed when we needed it. Top class and a great bloke. Hope you take some points off the top sides like you are capable of and hope it's not us. ;)

Cheers

[lets all have a disco]

Top bloke,top keeper,i'm glad he hast gone to Arsenal et al.

Villa are very lucky to have him,all the best apart from when we play Villa.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Good luck Shay, thanks for the memories.

[CitizenYank]

Glad to see him go to a top club that needs him. Aston Villa will be a good fit.
Will always remember some of his great saves.

[Esky]

Signed a five year deal. Quality keeper or not, that seems obscene to me - no one knows how long his shoulder will hold up.

Great signing for Villa and apparently great work from his agent.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Signed a five year deal. Quality keeper or not, that seems obscene to me - no one knows how long his shoulder will hold up.

Great signing for Villa and apparently great work from his agent.

Well, they got Brad Friedel past 40 year mark so they are probably assuming they can do the same with Shay. From Given's point of view I can understand this. He seems like one of the few genuine guys in football these days. Probably told Villa that he has been planning to play until 40 and doesn't wnat to uproot his family again. His kids look like about the age they are going to start school soon so I'm sure he wants his kids to stay in one place for a while.

I don't know about the shoulder mate. Was there talk at the time that it didn't fully heal?