sport

BRAD ALL OVER ROQUE

Friedel - fan of Santa Cruz.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel rates Roque Santa Cruz as one of the top three Premier League buys of last season.

But he believes it may be asking too much of Blackburn to allow the Paraguay striker to become the latest big-name player to leave Ewood Park.

Santa Cruz has been linked with a move to Villa where Martin O'Neill is reported to be preparing a bid in the region of £16million for the 27-year-old who scored 23 goals for Blackburn last season after signing from Bayern Munich for £3.8million.

But Santa Cruz was also the subject of a bid from former Rovers manager Mark Hughes who has been trying to sign him for a second time and take him to Manchester City.

Blackburn rejected that approach with new manager Paul Ince determined to hold on to the forward after seeing Friedel leave for Villa and David Bentley sign for Tottenham.

Friedel refused to comment on any interest Villa may have in Santa Cruz, but admitted he can see why there is so much talk about him.

"As far as transfer speculation is concerned I know nothing about whether he is going to go or stay," said Friedel.

"As far as him as a person, he is a great professional, a tremendous player and, for me, last season he was probably one of the top three buys in the Premier League.

"He's up there with Fernando Torres pound for pound.

"He is just the whole package, good in the air, he can hold the ball, it was a great return for what Blackburn paid.

"But when it comes to transfer money, I don't even know if he is saleable what with myself and Bentley already gone, you'd have to call John Williams (Blackburn chairman) and ask him that.

"It would be tough if three of us were to leave in one summer.

"He's a hard worker and came into the Premier League with people thinking he'd had a lot of injuries and might not play that much.

"But I think he missed two training seasons all year and worked his socks off.

"I can't believe people passed up on him last year, maybe they were thrown off by his injuries. I can't say enough good things about Roque Santa Cruz. He's a lovely fellow and a great guy."

But Friedel insisted no-one should write off Blackburn, particularly after their opening-day win at Everton, and laughed off suggestions they would be relegated this season were wide of the mark.

"That's ridiculous in my opinion," said Friedel.

"I do not see them having a problem with relegation."

Villa will be looking to strengthen their forward line before the transfer window shuts with Shaun Maloney set to leave the club and return to Celtic.