Express and Star: Brad Guzan today hailed the support Shay Given has shown him this season even though he has taken his fellow Aston Villa goalkeeper's place between the sticks. Given, 36, was axed by manager Paul Lambert after just two games of the campaign and, with the exception of a couple of matches in the Capital One Cup, Guzan has been ever present since.

ClubCall: Gabby Agbonlahor claims Aston Villa are 'an improving team' and he is 'excited' at the prospect of a successful future at the club. The Villa hitman, who has spent all of his career at the club since breaking into the first team six years ago, has seen many changes in that time with a host of managers and players passing through the doors.

ClubCall: Ashley Westwood claims he has already made big improvements as a player since joining Aston Villa in the summer transfer window. Villa boss Paul Lambert swooped to sign the midfielder on a four-year deal from League One Crewe just before the August 31 transfer deadline.

Best Of The Rest

BBC Sport: West Ham United have been named as the preferred bidders to take over the Olympic Stadium.

BBC Sport: Neil Lennon reckons steering Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League would be his "best achievement as a manager".

Sky Sports: Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he is hopeful injured winger Gareth Bale will only miss one Premier League game.

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.