Given stakes his claim with club and country as Villa go through

Shay Given

Aidan Fitzmaurice

VETERAN Shay Given (left) sent out a message to his and country managers with a man of the match display as Aston Villa moved into the last eight of the FA Cup.

The 38-year-old made only his fourth club appearance of the season yesterday but new Villa boss Tim Sherwood is likely to recall Brad Guzan for next Saturday's Premier League clash with Stoke.

Given also faces a battle to dislodge David Forde from the Ireland side in time for Ireland's vital Euro 2016 battle with Poland in Dublin next month, even though Forde was on the losing side again on Saturday as relegation-threatened Millwall lost to Leeds and Given did start in Ireland's most recent game, the 4-1 win over the USA.

But Given, out of contract in the summer, hopes that he's given his new club boss food for thought with that display. "When the new manager comes in it's a clean slate for everyone. I have plenty to offer and I hope that Tim sees that," Given said.

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