So much for eight years at the club. See ye after, Brad.
It’s not hard to get on the wrong side of the Aston Villa fans and the farewell piss-up being thrown on Twitter at the news of Guzan’s departure to ‘Boro is testament to that.
The Birmingham Mail summed it up:
“Brad Guzan will look back on his Aston Villa career with a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Heckled on the streets and booed from the stands in recent times, the USA stopper felt the full wrath of relegation.
“That sort of treatment isn’t pleasant, especially for Guzan – one of football’s good guys.”
He was always a loyal servant for the club, reliable understudy to compatriot and namesake Friedel and then making the starting berth his own, holding up under relentless threat of relegation with Paul Lambert at the helm.
His ability to come for crosses – any bloody sniff of a cross – was for a while unparalleled and then the American started to get nervous. He started doubting himself, he began to feel the pressure and anxiety from the stands and mistakes were followed up by costly moments of indecision until Villa Park could no longer trust him. In the end, it didn’t even look like he could trust himself.
So the club had some good news for the fans on Friday – Guzan was gone. And, despite having a year left on his contract, it was being reported that they just offloaded him for free up to Middelsbrough.
Transfer news: @BGuzan has joined @Boro on a two-year deal. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/v69atjfOwB
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 29, 2016
It didn’t really break many hearts.
Applause broke out.
@AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/4IBWJ4RnPl
— George Smyly (@gsmyly) July 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/TommTAV/status/758958104620912640
Champagne broke out.
https://twitter.com/Pxrtridge/status/758958037931401216
People don’t forget.
@AVFCOfficial @bguzan @Boro pic.twitter.com/K39vPd9Bbm
— robbò (@robjnewbouldx) July 29, 2016
Some people don’t have any filter.
Hope he cracks his head open getting relegated again
— MB 👑 (@MattyBirddd) July 29, 2016
But, generally, most people were just very damn happy.
Well done Villa that's a good days business. Boro must have a premier league death wish!!
— Adrian Siggins (@Adrian_Siggins) July 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/will_avfc/status/758969288459821056
And thankful.
https://twitter.com/Alfieafc14/status/758958015127035904
thank fuck for that
— Harry Agnew (@AvfcAgnew) July 29, 2016
And insulting.
good riddance egg head
— Matthew Padget (@MatthewPadget) July 29, 2016
Just happy they have something to smile about for once.
https://twitter.com/Akining_/status/758958044763922432
Some touching words.
https://twitter.com/EatonJoel/status/758981797795422208
And words of warning.
https://twitter.com/ollyoakes77/status/758976184847704065
It didn’t look possible for a while but they got there.
To all involved at @AVFCOfficial well done for getting this one done @bguzan @Boro pic.twitter.com/5vvtVFgqVv
— DPT (@DPT1986) July 29, 2016
Really though.
https://twitter.com/fl3_7ch/status/758961943285608448
Even the Middelsbrough fans aren’t happy.
https://twitter.com/davinaMFC/status/758960535559745539
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