Kirkland for England
Thompson hails Latics stopper
Last updated: 3rd May 2008
Thompson: impressed by Wigan
Kirkland's decision-making was excellent and on this performance you can see him playing for England. He looked as good as anybody.
Phil Thompson
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Aston Villa 0-2 Wigan
Soccer Saturday analysis
Phil Thompson feels Chris Kirkland could be the next England goalkeeper after his heroics for Wigan against Aston Villa.
Antonio Valencia struck twice in the second half at Villa Park to guarantee survival for Wigan and leave Villa's European hopes dangling by a thread as Steve Bruce's side picked up an impressive 2-0 win.
But it was goalkeeper Kirkland that caught Thompson's eye and he feels the Latics stopper could challenge David James for England's number one jersey after overcoming his injury problems.
Thompson told Soccer Saturday: "Chris Kirkland has played 36 games - he's only missed one - and he was outstanding today.
"He was calm, he made vital saves at the right time and he caught all the balls that Villa put in the box.
"His decision-making was excellent and on this performance you can see him playing for England. He looked as good as anybody.
"We've lauded David James on the show, but this performance from Kirkland was outstanding."
In fact, Thompson was full of praise for players throughout the Wigan team, including Titus Bramble who has received plenty of bad press throughout his career.
Exceptional
"In the first half when Aston Villa were the better team, Kirkland made a couple of vital saves," Thompson continued.
"It needed a goal to liven it up and it came at a great time for Wigan, who were exceptional.
"They picked Villa off when they tried to attack, I've not seen them keep the ball as well as they did and Steve Bruce is right to have great pride in his team.
"He's been magnificent because this is an Aston Villa team who have been free-scoring, playing exceptionally well and looking as though they can score at any opportunity.
"But Wigan denied them, particularly in the second half. Paul Scharner and Titus Bramble were absolutely outstanding. Wilson Palacios and Michael Brown dominated the midfield and Valencia was fantastic as their outlet.
"They looked comfortable after the first goal, Villa didn't have an answer and when Valencia rifled the second past Scott Carson, I think they fully deserved it with the way the second half went."
Wigan are now safe from relegation, but Thompson fears some of their outstanding performers may look for moves this summer.
He added: "Steve Bruce has done fantastic, but some of these players who've been doing so well might want to move on to higher clubs.
"Can he stand in their way? Can he turn it around? Can he then bring in new players?
"I think the chairman will back him, and rightly so, but I think it will be an interesting summer for Bruce and his staff."
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