ALEX McLeish has absolved Shay Given of blame for Villa’s recent defensive deficiencies and revealed he rates the goalkeeper among the best he has ever worked with.

Eight of the 13 Premier League goals the claret and blues have conceded came in their last three matches after they let in just five in their first seven games.

But McLeish believes Given is beyond reproach for the recent backline wobbles and says the stopper is in no way responsible for Villa’s vulnerability at set-pieces.

The Irish international has been beaten five times by goals from corners and free-kicks in the defeats to Manchester City and West Brom and the draw with Sunderland.

There have been suggestions Given could have helped avert the danger from deadballs by coming off his line more to collect crosses or clear the danger.

However, McLeish is delighted with the impact Villa’s experienced No.1 has made since arriving from Manchester City in a £3.5 million, five-year deal in the summer.

“I never even knew he was thought of as being to blame,” said McLeish.

“If you go over all of the games you will see that Shay has come for a few dangerous balls which have come into the box and punched a few as well.

“If they are all sitting on his toes then he can’t come. I looked at the defensive line for the goal conceded against Sunderland and we were too deep, we could have moved a yard.

“It is very fine margins. If we could have moved further out it could have been better for us.

‘‘Obviously the further out opposition attackers head the ball from the less chance they have to score.

“The closer in to Shay they are then it only takes a deflection.”