No confidence setback for rejuvenated Given

New Aston Villa signing Shay Given has assured fans his confidence has not been dented by a season on the sidelines at Manchester City.

But the Republic of Ireland international, who signed for Villa for a fee of around £3.5m after falling behind Joe Hart in the Eastlands pecking order, has admitted he needs to build up his match-sharpness ahead of his team’s first game against Fulham.