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Brad Guzan is heading for the Villa Park exit door after boss Tim Sherwood delivered a public snub.

Villa’s boss weighed in with a £5million offer for Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic which has sent the American a clear message that he will start as the club’s third-choice next season.

The club’s former number one ended the season behind veteran Shay Given.

Sherwood replaced Guzan after an horrific gaffe at the Etihad Stadium gifted Manchester City an early opener in a match the visitors went on to lose 3-2.

(Image: PA)

Given took over between the sticks and kept his place for the remainder of the season – even playing in the FA Cup final.

The veteran Irishman still has 12 months to run on his contract – and he remains one of the club’s highest-earners on £3m-a-year.

Villa found no takers when they tried to send Given on loan ­– now it appears that Guzan will be the fall-guy.