Friedel: Spurs and Villa are in safe hands with Vicario and Martinez

Brad Friedel believes former clubs Tottenham and Aston Villa have two of the Premier League's best goalkeepers in Guglielmo Vicario and Emiliano Martinez.

Spurs stopper Vicario has enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign in North London since his summer move from Empoli, while Villa's World Cup-winning star Martinez continues to thrive as both sides challenge in the top five of the English top flight.

And while managers Ange Postecoglou and Unai Emery have rightly earned plaudits for transforming the fortunes of their clubs, former Premier League custodian Friedel believes the shot-stopping duo are a huge part of their respective success.

Friedel, 52, told LiveScore: "The only similarity that I see in them is their emotion, they're both very emotional characters on the field.

"I've known about Emi for a while but Vicario, this is the first time I've taken a real deep dive into him.

"He seems to have fit into Postecoglou's style and system. His reaction saves and commanding of the box seem to be very good.

"I would still say Martinez and Alisson are the two best in the league for their all-round ability.

"Both Villa and Tottenham play with a high line and when their back fours are breached, they've got very capable and able goalkeepers behind them.

"I think that allows the two teams to play with that little bit more confidence."

Title tilt

The two sides are in FA Cup fourth-round action this evening, with Spurs hosting defending champions Manchester City and Villa handed a trip to Chelsea.

With Villa five points off top spot in the Premier League and Spurs three further back, they have been named as outside challengers for the title this term.

On his old sides' hopes a shock title win, Friedel added: "I think for the title they're both in it. You see the points difference right now, absolutely they are.  

"I would say Liverpool and Man City have an advantage because they have players that have recently won the Premier League.

"But I think those four teams have incredible managers, great players who are being led by some tactical geniuses.

"So I think this is one of the more exciting seasons at the top of the table that the Premier League has witnessed in a long time.

"If you sat down and had conversations with [Jurgen] Klopp or [Pep] Guardiola, they would admit they are looking over their shoulders with those two clubs."

Magic of the cup

The two sides will fancy their chances in the FA Cup this season too despite their somewhat difficult fourth-round draws.

Recent discourse would suggest the FA Cup has lost some of its magic in the modern game but the former Blackburn stalwart still has high regard for England's oldest competition.

The American added: "It's the best club cup competition in the world, it really is. 

"Even in the early rounds, if you're a Premier League player, you do not want to get drawn against one of the lower teams away from home.

"You're always looking at the draw, always want a home tie, and you definitely don't want a draw and have a replay — there are so many scenarios to it that you want to avoid.

"I was fortunate to have won a League Cup and I was in two other League Cup finals. The FA Cup, I only ever got to the semi-finals, twice with Blackburn and once with Villa.

"I wish I could have lifted the FA Cup, but it wasn't to be. It's a great competition."