Taylor: I'll fight for my place

Stuart Taylor has revealed his determination to challenge goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen for the number one jersey at Aston Villa.

Sorensen has been Villa manager David O’Leary’s undisputed first choice since moving from Sunderland two seasons ago.

But Taylor has made it clear he wants to be pushing for a place after completing his move from Arsenal to Villa Park last week.

The former England U21 keeper even reported for pre-season training 48 hours ahead of the rest of his team-mates who are due back tomorrow.

Taylor said: “My aim is to move on in my career and progress. That’s why I’m here at Villa. I want to be as good as I possibly can.

“I want to initially fight for a place. If I do that, it’s up to me to stay in the side. I want to play as much as I can and hopefully help this football club progress.”

Taylor had limited first team opportunities at Highbury and admitted: “Maybe I should have left Arsenal 12 months ago but I’d just signed a new deal and wanted to see what happened.

“But the time was right now for me to move on. This is all about career progression for me.

"Obviously I’m still young in goalkeeping terms, but I still want to push on and progress.

“It was no good for me to stay at Arsenal to sit around and do nothing. I’ve come to Aston Villa as the number two but obviously I want to push for a place.”

O’Leary is still understood to be keen on signing Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin but Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy appears to be edging towards a move to Everton.

Villa are still waiting to hear whether a consortium including former Manchester City player Ray Ranson will make a takeover bid for the Midlands club.