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Brad Guzan has been challenged to show the same professionalism as Shay Given after losing his Aston Villa place to the veteran goalkeeper.

Guzan was dropped from his Premier League No.1 role for the first time in almost three years for Saturday’s home win over Everton.

It was Given’s first top flight appearance he was ousted by Guzan after the 3-1 defeat to the Toffees at Villa Park on August 25 2012.

Villa manager Tim Sherwood chose to make the change after Guzan was at fault for the first goal in last month’s defeat at Manchester City.

Can you spot yourself in the Villa crowd against Everton?

And Sherwood has told the American goalkeeper to follow Given’s example of how to conduct himself during his time out of the team.

“I spoke to Brad and I explained my decision,” said Sherwood.

“I gave him the respect of that and he realises that what he needs to do now is to conduct himself as professionally has Shay Given has when he was out of the side.

“That’s the nature of football. The manager makes decisions and he isn’t going to be able to keep everyone happy all of the time.

“I’m the manager, I have to make those decisions. I decided that.

“It’s certainly harder for a goalie because he can’t play in any other position.”

Sherwood was delighted with Given, whose appearance of Saturday ended Guzan’s run of 108 consecutive top flight starts.

It completes a remarkable turnaround for the 39-year-old, who even lost his understudy role to Jed Steer under previous Paul Lambert before being restored as the deputy stopper at the start of this season.

(Image: Mark Thompson/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

“I was delighted with Shay,” said Sherwood.

“We’re fortunate at this club to have two good goalkeepers, or three because Jed Steer’s a very good goalkeeper as well.

“You watch them during the week training and you look at performances and I decided that I needed to put Shay in.”

All of Given’s Villa action in the past two-and-three-quarters seasons has come in the cup competitions.

But Sherwood vowed the change of goalkeeper is not connected to the FA Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley on May 30.

“It’s nothing to do with the FA Cup,” he added.

“When is that?! That’s after the season finishes. We could be a Championship side by then and we aren’t going to be happy if that happens.”