Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given will be out for up to a month after undergoing scans on a hamstring injury.

Given suffered the problem in Villa's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, in a match which also saw Javier Hernandez and Jermaine Jenas leave on stretchers.

"It is disappointing to lose Shay in such circumstances but, unfortunately, these things happen in football," Alex McLeish told the club's official website.

However the Villa manager is confident the gap vacated by the Irishman can be filled by the side's reserve stopper, Brad Guzan.

"We have total faith in Brad who, as I said after the game against Manchester United on Saturday, can be proud of the way he stepped in when Shay had to come off," said McLeish.

Given joined Villa in the summer after a two-year spell at Manchester City.

Written by
Joe Fish