Guzan happy, frustrated with first Villa start

American goalkeeper Brad Guzan made his Aston Villa debut on Wednesday, but the game didn't follow the fairy-tale script he had hoped for. The Villans crashed out of the Carling Cup with a 1-0 loss to Championship side Queens Park Rangers, at Villa Park, no less.

On Thursday, he spoke about his experience, the positives and the negatives.

"I was pleased to make my first start but I am desperately disappointed we lost the game," he told the club's official Web site. "Any time you make an appearance, it's great but when you come into a competition like this and you can't get a result, it's frustrating."

The 24-year-old made several saves, but was left stranded in the 58th minute when QPR defender Damion Stewart slammed in a header from close range.

"We created chances but we just couldn't finish," he said. "That's what the game's about. We did all the pretty things and all the good work, but we couldn't capitalize on that. It's particularly annoying because I thought we were the better team and created the better chances. But at the end of the day, football is about results."

After three years with MLS side Chivas USA, Guzan transferred to Villa this summer for around $1.5 million. He has not seen any league action, as he adjusts to life in England and learns from Aston Villa's other American keeper, Brad Friedel.

But now Guzan feels that he has taken a step forward, and by his comments, he already understands the connection between the team and the supporters, something that was nowhere near as strong or evident in MLS.

"Overall, it was good to get that debut under my belt," he said. "But I am disappointed for the fans. I think we let them down -- particularly after the results in the past week. We have been playing well away from Villa Park so to come home and not get the result is upsetting for the players and the fans." -- Goal.com