ANDY NOT SO HANDY FOR VILLA.

Byline: MAT KENDRICK

I'VE always thought a third-choice goalkeeper is about as much use as a third nipple (although I've got neither so I'm perhaps not best qualified to comment).

Which is why I can't help thinking Aston Villa's new signing Andy Marshall might prove to be nothing more than a nubbin, a thripple, a trip-nip or whatever the vernacular is.

If you've got a pair in perfectly fine working order then why do you need a third? Marshall, I fear, like Stuart Taylor before him, could just end up looking like a spare part.

And with keepers, if not with nips, if anything goes wrong with either of the originals there is always scope for an emergency loan or the opportunity to promote one of the kids.

Chances I fail to see the point of paying Marshall - experienced, reliable stopper though he undoubtedly is - for a year when, chances are, he will be used less than a superfluous teat.

I've got nothing against the former Norwich, Ipswich and Coventry stopper and I'm sure the 34-year-old represents a safer pair of hands than academy graduate Elliott Parish right now.

But Marshall will probably provide more of an obstacle to Parish's first team hopes than he will to Premier League attackers at a time when the young keeper is seeing peers like Marc Albrighton get their chance.

I accept that clubs attempting to compete on several fronts need cover in all areas of the pitch, but I really wish these thirdchoice keepers could be nipped in the bud.