Eric Lichaj
Nationality :
American
Date of Birth :
17/11/1988
Height :
5' 11" (180cm)
Weight :
12st 7lbs (79.45kg)
Squad Number :
30
Previous Clubs :
Leeds, Leyton Orient (loan), Lincoln City (loan),
Position :
Defender
Eric Lichaj will be out to battle the likes of Luke Young, Habib Beye and Carlos Cuellar for that right-back slot during the 2011-12 campaign.
His experiences with Leeds during the previous campaign will have certainly helped his development and boosted his confidence as he looks to star in claret and blue for Villa.
He was loaned out to Leeds for the final three months of the campaign to gain more senior experience and was a valuable member of Simon Grayson's promotion-chasing team.
He performed admirably in the six games he started for Villa before that move, the 1-1 draw in Vienna against Rapid, the 3-1 League Cup victory over Blackburn, the 2-1 League Cup victory over Burnley, the 2-1 win over West Brom, the narrow 2-1 defeat against Tottenham and the 4-0 loss at Manchester City.
The young USA ace will be hoping to make further steps along his career path this term.
As well as top performances at the back, Lichaj also has another weapon in his arsenal.
The long throw-in has become a phenomenon of modern football and, in Lichaj, Villa have their very own king of the slingers.
He showed this brilliant bullet initially for the second string as he featured in all but two of Villa's Reserve League South matches in 2008-09 and also made the bench for Villa's UEFA Cup last 32 tie against CSKA Moscow.
He then got the chance to gain some first team experience in 2009-10 with loan spells at Lincoln and Leyton Orient.
The right-back also managed the first goal of his professional career during his stint with Orient and again used his long throw-in to great effect.
The Chicago-born youngster arrived at Villa Park a season ahead of countrymen Brad Friedel and Brad Guzan.
Lichaj helped his country qualify for the 2005 under-17 World Cup and was also named in the USA's under-20 squad for the 2007 World Cup finals in Canada.
He is now a fully-fledged senior international, having made his breakthrough on the international stage last season.
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