Stephen Warnock has hailed the "fantastic professionalism" of Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who could make his 200th successive Premier League appearance at Everton on Saturday.

Warnock is better qualified than most to know the qualities of Friedel, having, like the American, also played for Liverpool and Blackburn before making the switch to Villa.

Friedel surpassed the previous Premier League record of 167 games on the trot by David James last season.

And Now he is in contention to register his double century at Goodison Park, although his deputy and fellow American Brad Guzan impressed by making four penalty saves during the mid-week Carling Cup win over Sunderland.

Warnock said: "To clock up 200 games in a row would be an incredible achievement but we all know that Brad (Friedel) is a quality keeper.

"You only have to watch him in training and can see his total commitment to being a good and top class professional.

"He is always striving to get better - even at the age he is. He always wants to do better."

Warnock has quickly slotted into the left-back role since making the move from Ewood Park two months ago.

And he believes Villa's flying start to the campaign will result in opposition teams being wary of Martin O'Neill's side.

He said: "We are in this run of four away games on the trot which is a test of stamina and resolve but nobody is going to want to play us.

"We know we've got that confidence in the dressing room so it's for teams to fear us now. We go to people's grounds and they will be fearing us going there."

However, Warnock is also aware of the need for Villa to pick up positive results against all levels of opposition if they are to sustain a challenge for a Champions League spot.

He said: "The fact we beat Liverpool and Chelsea and drew with Man City does send out a message Villa are a force to be reckoned with.

"But then we have the flip side of it, where we have had defeats against Wigan and Blackburn, and they are the kind of games we need to win as well to prove we are a real force.

"Hopefully we can prove that in the coming weeks.

"Overall, it is looking good at the moment but we know it is an important time coming up until around Christmas time in a few weeks.

"We need to keep in there around the festive period and see where we are coming out of the Christmas period."