By Paul Brown in Philadelphia

Brad Guzan admits it was Paul Lambert's vision for Villa that persuaded him to rejoin the club.

Guzan penned a three-year-deal this week and will now compete for the No.1 spot along with Shay Given and Andy Marshall in the senior ranks.

And the USA ace says it was a chat with new boss Lambert, where the gaffer spelled out his blueprint for the team that convinced him to make an emotional return to the claret and blue ranks.

He said: "First and foremost it was the discussion I had with the manager.

"I respected and enjoyed what he had to say and for me it was about getting a fair look in terms of making an impression on the team.

"So obviously after having that discussion and knowing what this club is all about and how big it is and where he wants to take it, then for me personally to be able to get opportunities to make my mark, it was exciting.

"After those conversations I was looking forward to coming back to the club.

"As a player, you just want a fair chance and an opportunity to make your mark.

"We have some terrific goalkeepers at the club, so for me to be able to have that opportunity is all you can ask for as a player. That's what it's about.

"For me, it's an opportunity to come in and hopefully I'll prove not only to the manager but the coaches and my team-mates that I can be counted on.

"Being back with these guys, a good group of guys, and after speaking to the manager I'm excited to see where this football club is going to go and I want to be a part of it.

"So yesterday was an exciting day for me, to see everybody again and I'm looking forward to working hard in pre-season and then to the season itself, which should be exciting."

Guzan admits his run of Barclays Premier League action in the last campaign has fuelled his desire to compete regularly on that stage again.

He continued: "For me it was definitely a good run and it definitely fuelled the hunger inside of me. I just want to play first-team football.

"So to have the opportunity to play first-team football, to have that run of games as opposed to cup football when you play every other month or something like that, it was a big difference.

"For me it was huge, not only for my own confidence but also to prove to the fans, to my team-mates and to the coaches that I can do it over a long period.

"That's what I would like to do again this season."

However Guzan knows he will have to be at his very best to get into the team with Given in the ranks.

He added: "Shay's a terrific goalkeeper. Working with him all last year, we were able to get the best out of one another and really push one another.

"That's what makes our goalkeeping group so special. We're able to push each other in training and on game day we're ready to go.

"When I stepped in for that run of games during the winter when Shay had his injury and I was able to do well, I think that's testament to my training habits here at the club."

Click here to buy season tickets for the new term as Villa embark on a vibrant new era.