Aston Villa goalkeeper Braz Guzan rejects excuses of inexperience in the ranks

Brad Guzan: Youth no excuse for problems

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan has rejected suggestions they have been struggling in the Premier League because they have a young team.

Paul Lambert's side moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at fellow strugglers Reading on Saturday.

USA international Guzan insists they have the necessary quality and team spirit to retain the Premier League status, insisting talk of inexperience in the squad is a misnomer.

"The press are going to say we are a young team and that's the reason (why we're struggling)," he told the Birmingham Mail.

"But I'm not buying that. We see the quality that we have in the changing room, we see it on the training ground every day.

"It's not about 'yes, we have guys that are young and new to the team', it's not about that.

"You look at teams at the top of the table as well, they give up leads, they drop points, that's football. That's what this league is all about.

"You look at teams at the top of the table as well, they give up leads, they drop points, that's football. That's what this league is all about."
Brad Guzan

"It's not about age, or inexperience, or a young look about our team.

"It's about staying together, sticking together and fighting for each other and getting results.

"What we have to do now is keep that momentum going and continue to fight on."

Guzan admitted the mood in the camp had improved markedly as a result of the win as they prepare for another six-pointer with QPR on Saturday.

Villa equalised through Christian Benteke just a minute after Nathan Baker had put through his own net at the Madejski Stadium, with Gabriel Agbonlahor volleying home what proved to be the winner in the final minute of the first half.

"If you had looked at everyone's faces at the end (you could see the happiness)," he added.

"There have been a few games this season where we have conceded late and we haven't taken all three points so it was nice to take the three points.

"It's a massive win for us and to come back from a goal down on the road at a place like Reading, where we know is a massive, massive game, shows what we are all about.

"Our character, our belief, our fight and spirit was all there to see. On top of that I thought we played some really good football."

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