New four year deal for Brad Guzan

Brad Guzan has signed a new four deal with Aston Villa.

The club has moved to secure the future of the American shot stopper, just a year after the player had been released, then brought back again.

Paul Lambert showed his faith in the keeper last season by consistently picking him ahead of the vastly experienced Irish keeper Shay Given.

Brad enthused "For me, it's an honour and a privilege to play for Aston Villa Football Club and to commit my future long-term. I'm overjoyed by it.

"To have this opportunity to commit my future, with the plans and the future being what they are going forward, it's tremendously exciting and I know that's not just for me but for everybody, including the fans. This is what Aston Villa Football Club is all about, we're a very connected and very committed group and we want to strive to be the best we can possibly be going forward. What we're building here as a Club, what the manager is building could be very special."

The villamad.co.uk 2012/13 Awards

The end of the season and time to hand out the villamad.co.uk end of season gongs:

Player of the Season: Brad Guzan

Where would we be without Bradley? Quite possibly the npower Championship, that's where. Mister Guzan, who we very nearly lost last summer has positively flourished under Mister Lambert and given the standard of the defending in front of him, he's not been  short of opportunities to show just how good he is. He's had to do it under pressure too. Any drop in form and Shay Given would have easily taken his place.

Goal of the Season: Matthew Lowton v Stoke City (Away)

Villa nerves were starting to jangle up in the Potteries as Stoke had just clawed their way back into the game, but Matt's wonder strike did the bizzo and sent the claret and blue travelling faithful into rapturous appreciation. Alan Shearer didn't like it but what does that washed-up goal-hanger know?

Breakthrough Player of the Season: Andi Weimann

Paul Lambert believes in giving a youth a chance and Andi has grabbed his opportunity with both ends, moving from bit-part player to one of the first names on the team sheet. a tireless worker and a natural eye for goal, he has also proved to be a perfect foil for the likes of Gabby and The Beast and become a fan favourite to boot. Top notch.

The Golden Boot: Christian Benteke

Defenders have nightmares about Christian Benteke. Strong, skillful, determined, when he's in the mood he'll cause problems for anyone's back line. We've waited donkey's years for a free flowing striker to keep us on our feet. Let's hope we can keep hold of him for a bit longer.

The Comeback Kid Award: Gabby Agbonlahor

Poor Gabby had seemed a bit lost under Monsieur Houllier and Mister McLeish. Neither really had a clue how to get the best out of him and niggling injuries didn't help. This season, despite competition for places from the likes of N'Zogbia, Bent new boy Bowery, Mister Aston Villa has found his form, scored vital goals and his pace has been a key part in Villa's at times scintillating attack. Welcome back Gabby!

Young Player of the Year: Jack Grealish

If you've not been watching the Under 21s or the Under 19 Next Gen lads, you've been missing out. They play some lovely stuff. Samir Carruthers has come on in leaps and bounds but we're really excited by the potential of Jack Grealish, who could grow into a very promising player indeed. Already when he's combining with the likes of Samir and Daniel Johnson, the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. Take a trip to watch the youngsters next year, it's entertaining football.

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