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For a man who has achieved so much in football – and is regarded by Martin O’Neill as one of the best keepers of his generation – Shay Given still feels he has a point to prove.

Especially at Wembley.

Tomorrow, the Aston Villa shot-stopper will be 39 – but the birthday celebrations will be soured if he hasn’t finally exorcised his demons.

Although Brad Guzan is preferred in Premier League games, manager Tim Sherwood has picked Given in all the previous FA Cup rounds.

So, Given is expecting to be between the sticks for today’s semi-final.

(Image: Action Images)

“It’d be difficult to take if I wasn’t,” he said. “At Newcastle, I played in every round up to the final, then didn’t play.”

In 1998, he was in the Magpies’ team, which lost the FA Cup Final 2-0 to Arsenal. The following year they were back – but he was replaced by Steve Harper as they fell to Manchester United.

And, four years ago, it went flat again, with Given watching from the bench as his Manchester City team-mates beat Stoke.

He said: “I don’t even know where that winner’s medal is, if I’m being honest.

“When you don’t play, it doesn’t have the same value to it. You don’t really get the feeling that you’ve done anything.

“And do you ever get over it? Ruud Gullit was manager in 1999 and he didn’t even tell me I wasn’t playing. That was a slap in the face.”

(Image: Neville Williams)

Some critics have written Given off as too old. They say he doesn’t play enough games – and, under ex-Villa boss Paul Lambert, his career was clearly on a ­downward spiral. But Sherwood’s arrival has ended all talk of a mid-life crisis.

Given said: “A new manager comes in and it’s a new lease of life. For everyone. There’s a new goalkeeping coach in Tony Parks and I am trying to impress them every day in training and push for a Premier League start.

“These games are opportunities to show the new manager I’m still able to play at the top level. Thankfully, the FA Cup has given me a run of games to show some people I’m still fit, still able to play. It’s a boost for me, personally. I’ve made saves in every game.

“That shows to fans I’m still capable. Hopefully, it sows a seed of doubt into the manager’s head.

In pictures: Aston Villa beat Tottenham last weekend

“I was frozen out for a while here and it’s well documented there were a few players they wanted off the wage bill. I was cast to one side and Brad came in and did well.”

Given has made a shock return to the Republic of Ireland set-up too, after announcing his ­international retirement, following a disappointing Euro 2012.

But Ireland boss O’Neill has told him that he needs to see more regular action at club level.

“It’s difficult when you’ve played well and think you’ve deserved to stay in,” Given said.

“You just know you have to be bang on your game when given the opportunity.”