It's the subject that is dividing the Villa faithful. Which keeper should play for the Claret and Blue at Wembley on February 28.
Both Brad Friedel and his namesake Guzan have good claims on the No.1 jersey but only one can make the cut.
So who will be a Wembley wonder and who will suffer Wembley woe?
Friedel
Wembley Wonder
- Is the Villa No.1 and has yet to make a real mistake this season
- Has the ability to win a game virtually on his own.
- Loves starring against Manchester United. He was awesome at times for Rovers and kept out the Reds as Villa ended a 10-year hoodoo at Old Trafford in December.
- Big keeper has an immense presence between the sticks and has built a good understanding with centre-backs Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar and James Collins.
- Has a wealth of top level experience.
- Is considered the best No.1 in the Premier League by many players and pundits.
- Can score goals – yes, he was the second goalkeeper to score a Premier League goal after former Villan Peter Schmeichel.
Wembley Woe
- Doesn’t have the same ability to save penalties as compatriot Guzan.
- O’Neill may want to give Guzan cup final experience as he will be 38-year-old Friedel’s natural successor.
- Hasn’t played in any of Villa’s Carling Cup games this season.
- Didn’t play in the Peace Cup triumph in Malaga during the summer.
Guzan
Wembley Wonder
- Is the younger model and is seen as future Villa No.1.
- Is simply unbeatable from the penalty spot. He saved four at Sunderland in round four of the Carling Cup and was vital to Villa’s Peace Cup penalty shootout win against Juventus in the summer.
- Has played in all of the Carling Cup games – O’Neill could stick with him out of loyalty.
- Is a super shot stopper
- Showed he was a great cup keeper with a couple of fine performances in the UEFA Cup (now the Europa League) last year. Kept Villa in the game against Slavia Prague.
Wembley Woe
- Has not had a great deal of game time this season.
- Struggled in the semi-final second-leg against Blackburn, conceding four goals.
- Is fairly inexperienced at the top level.
VERDICT: With a total of seven plusses and just four minuses, Friedel gets the call. Guzan is destined to be a great stopper but his compatriot is the best custodian in the Premier League and Villa just have to use him if they want to lift the trophy. Guzan should be brought on if the showpiece goes to penalties, though.