Guzan will join Villa from Chivas USA, and is set to begin his career in England as deputy to compatriot Brad Friedel who joined Martin O'Neill's squad from Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

Villa agreed the Guzan deal last month and announced on Friday afternoon that the Home Office have agreed to let him join them.

The 23-year-old is a current United States international, having established himself this year.

Guzan, who is currently taking part in the ING Cup in Hong Kong as preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games, believes he can battle Friedel for selection under Martin O'Neill - despite the 37-year-old having amassed over 250 top-flight appearances for Blackburn and Liverpool.

make myself

"I am going to go in there and work as hard as I can, learn as much as I can and try and become a better player and help the team in any way I can," said Guzan.

"Whether that is as a number two or competing for a number one, I am going to be pushing to make myself better or pushing to make the person who is playing to play better.

"Clubs with a good atmosphere have positive effects as they have competitive players who are pushing each other to make the team better."

Guzan produced a man-of-the-match performance on Friday as the USA shared a goalless draw with Ivory Coast at the Hong Kong Stadium in the opening match of the ING Cup.

He is set to miss the start of the Barclays Premier League season, with the Olympic football tournament beginning on Wednesday and running until 23rd August.

The USA have been drawn in Group B alongside Nigeria, Japan and the Netherlands.