When Thomas Sorensen was injured against Toronto in the first match of Villa's 2007 pre-season tour, it highlighted the need to bring in another goalkeeper.

Ideally, manager Martin O'Neill would have made a permanent signing but the deal he struck to bring Scott Carson to Villa Park on a season-long loan should be beneficial to both clubs as well as the player.

Liverpool, currently unable to accommodate the England under-21 international in their first team, will welcome back a player who has gained valuable top flight experience.

Villa, in the meantime, are getting the services of a highly-rated keeper without a major transfer outlay - and Carson hopes regular first team football will help him to challenge Paul Robinson for the England No.1 jersey.

Carson, ironically, made his debut for Leeds United in January 2004 when he took over in goal after Robinson had been sent off. Twelve months later, he became the first English player to be signed by Anfield manager Rafa Benitez.

He ended that season with a Champions League winners medal after being a substitute in the final against AC Milan in Istanbul.

Carson spent three months at Sheffield Wednesday at the end of 2005-06 and was on loan to Charlton for the whole of last season.

He won his first under-21 cap against Holland in February 2004.