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Former Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given has expressed his desire to leave Villa in January. The 27-year-old stopper has endured a tough last 16 months at the Midlands-based club and is now seeking a move elsewhere.

Given was brought in during the summer of 2011 and was instantly awarded the No. 1 jersey.

However, following Paul Lambert's appointment in 2012, Given was dropped and replaced by American custodian Brad Guzan, who has repaid Lambert's faith by being Villa's most consistent performer over the last year.

Given has subsequently been sent on loan to Middlesbrough and since told Sky Sports that he is hoping for a permanent move away from Villa in January:

It's a perfect platform to try and get a move in January. I will keep every option open, whatever league or country that is in. I'm not bothered. I have found it difficult, I really have. When you are training for months on end and not playing, of course it is difficult. Paul Lambert picked Brad and he has played very well. I've no real complaints about that.

Given kept a clean sheet on his debut against Bolton and will hope to perform at a similar level to catch the eye of any potential suitors in January.

Villa reportedly paid a fee of around £3.5 million for the Irish keeper in 2011 and would be lucky to get one-third of that back come the turn of the year.

But with youngster Jed Steer, Villa's second-choice keeper, Lambert is sure to let Given leave if an offer does come in following the festive period.