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Brad Guzan is likely to start the season as Aston Villa’s No.1 despite losing his place in the side last term.

Boss Tim Sherwood dropped the 30-year-old goalkeeper for the now departed Shay Given but is expected to make him the main man once again.

Guzan had played over 100 consecutive league games for the club until Sherwood surprisingly axed him following a howler at Manchester City last term.

That lead to serious doubts over his Villa future and a move away from the club was expected this summer.

The situation has changed in recent times, though, and unless Villa make a breakthrough in the transfer market, Guzan will start the season as first-choice.

He’s not with the squad out here in Portugal as he is currently on Gold Cup duty in his homeland but that will not block his opportunities.

In fact it’s likely to enhance his progression as he has impressed in the USA’s opening two games of the tournament and that’s hasn’t gone unnoticed in the Villa camp.

Sherwood has been tracking a new stopper this summer but his pursuit has stalled and he may now abandon it altogether.

Asmir Begovic, Tom Heaton and David Button have all been linked to the club but the recruitment team are yet to land any top targets.

With other positions now a priority, Villa may continue with what they already have on board.

That means Jed Steer will be the understudy to Guzan, although he is likely to leave on loan to further aid his development.

The 22-year-old was signed from Norwich by former boss Paul Lambert who was convinced he will go onto become a top performer.

Sherwood and goalkeeper coach Tony Parks have seen enough in him to believe he can be an asset to the club and the gaffer gave him his first Premier League start on the final day of last season.

Mark Bunn was signed earlier this week to replace Given who left for Stoke, but despite revealing his hopes of first-team action, he is very much likely to be a back-up.

Bunn said: “Obviously my target is I want to play football. I know that it’s going to be hard here but I will try my best.

“I’m going to work really hard to break into the team and if I don’t then I’ll push the other goalkeepers to make them better.”

Bunn is getting to know his new team-mates on this trip in the Algarve but has not yet played any competitive action.

In the 3-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday, Steer played the first 45 minutes while youngster Brad Watkins replaced him after the break.

Mark Bunn's Villa initiation song