Given in line to end two-year wait for Premier League start

Former Republic of Ireland number one Shay Given has been put on alert to make his first Premier League appearance for two years when Aston Villa kick-off the season at Stoke City on August 16.

Villa boss Paul Lambert revealed Given is battling it out with Brad Guzan after the veteran Irishman was brought back in from two seasons in the cold at Villa Park.

Given has not made a Premier League appearance since the 3-1 defeat against Everton in August 2012, but with Jed Steer loaned to Doncaster Rovers he is now back fighting it out with Guzan to be the Villa number one.