BIRMINGHAM, England -- Aston Villa coach Gerard Houllier said Friday he hopes American goalie Brad Friedel will sign a new contract with the Premier League club.

Friedel, 39, joined Aston Villa from Blackburn in 2008 and has been the club's starter since. His contract runs out at the end of the season.

Houllier said it was too soon to talk about a new contract but he "definitely" wants Friedel to remain with the club next season.

"At the moment, he's doing a good job, a very good job," Houllier said. "He's very professional. With a player after the age of 30, you need to sometimes take into consideration certain things. When you have the opportunity to rest them, do it. But he's a good professional.

"He has always been like that. Everywhere he went I have never heard anything against him in terms of dedication, commitment, preparation.

"The boys like him as well."

Friedel, who played 82 matches for the U.S. and previously spent three seasons at Liverpool, has started all nine league matches this season for Aston Villa. He has three shutouts, including in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea.