Friedel predicts tight race

Villa keeper relishing battle for fourth place

Last updated: 7th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Friedel predicts tight race

Friedel: Expecting tight battle

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel expects the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification to go down to the final day of the season.

The top four has a more familiar look to it after Liverpool beat Everton on Saturday to take advantage of Tottenham, Villa and Manchester City all dropping points.

However, Friedel is predicting more twists and turns over the coming months after helping Villa play out a goalless draw with Spurs..

"I can't remember it being this tight for the Champions League places," said the American.

"It used to be the top two going away then the next two on their own. It'll be different this time.

"I would think it will go to the end, looking at the results this season. Clubs are dropping points and it's going to make it exciting."

Spurs supporters called Villa's approach 'boring' during the White Hart Lane stalemate but Friedel believes the home team were actually quite one-dimensional.

"It's funny because a lot of their attacks came from long balls up to Crouchy, who headed it down to Defoe," he stated.

"So I'm not quite sure where they (Spurs fans) are coming from."