FORMER Rovers favourite Brad Friedel predicts a rosy future at Ewood Park after describing his summer exit as his hardest ever footballing decision.

The American goalkeeper comes up against his old teammates for the first time since his switch to Aston Villa tonight, describing his Lancashire exit as a “huge wrench”.

Friedel though insists he has no regrets ahead of tonight’s Premier League clash at Villa Park, revealing he needed a new challenge to revitalise him in the latter stages of his career.

He does though expect his old club to continue to thrive in his absence, insisting there is something special about Blackburn Rovers.

Now 37, the ex-Rovers and Liverpool man knows his footballing days are coming to an end but told the Lancashire Telegraph his new life in the Midlands has brought the best out of him once again.

He said: “It was very difficult to leave Blackburn, probably the hardest thing I have had to do in football. I was there for eight tremendous years.

“But the total package at Villa just felt right for me. On the field I felt I wanted a new challenge. I feel a bit rejuvenated which is important when you get to my stage in my career.

“I would not say I was getting stale but there was the definite feeling I needed to move on for myself and the club. Maybe I wasn’t getting the best out of myself anymore.

“I have to prove myself again at Villa and that is something I have not had to do for a long time. I believe that is a feeling that any footballer would thrive on.

“Rovers will have a great season, I am sure of that. I also expect them to enjoy success under Paul Ince.”

Friedel signed for Rovers on a free transfer from Liverpool in November 2000 and went on to cement himself as legend during an eight-year stint at Ewood.

In his near 300 appearances for the club, he helped Rovers win promotion back to the Premier League, starred in their League Cup win in 2002, was voted Rovers’ player of the year and earned a place in the PFA Premiership XI in 2003.

His consistency at Rovers, which he has carried on at Villa, have seen him set the record for consecutive matches played in the Premier League, at 175 and counting, something the travelling fans are sure to recognise tonight.

Friedel said: “I have got a lot old friends at Blackburn, both in the playing squad and out of the playing squad.

“It will be strange playing against them but at the end of the day I have to be true to Aston Villa and have to do my best to get the points for them.

“I have a lot of fantastic memories at Blackburn Rovers. I have the utmost respect for the club itself and the fans and all the playing staff.

“I am really enjoying it at Villa though. I was surprised at the size of the club when I joined and the season has started pretty well for us.

“We had a good win over Wigan at the weekend and an important win over Ajax before that.”

While the summer saw the departure of one of the Premier League’s best keepers from Ewood Park, it did at least see him replaced with another contender for that crown.

Paul Robinson is still thought by many to be England’s number one, after his £3.5million from Spurs, and Friedel believes he was the perfect replacement.

“Paul Robinson is a very good goalkeeper,” he said.

“One of the reasons my transfer dragged on was they wanted to make sure they found a replacement before they agreed I could leave.

“Rovers deserve a good season as well. After eight years it was hard to break away but it was a decision I had to make professionally.

“I wish the best for the season to the board, Paul Ince and the rest of the staff. The club will always mean so much to me. It is special.”