Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan has called on his side's defence to present a greater challenge to opponents.

The Midlands outfit narrowly escaped relegation last season, and have suffered two defeats following an opening-day 3-1 win over Arsenal.

"For us now, it's about trying not to concede easy, soft goals," FourFourTwo quotes Guzan as saying. "We want to make it difficult for teamsto score against us week after week after week.

"It's not a technical thing. It's just limiting our mistakes and being hard to play against every time we go out to play and upping our tempo offensively and defensively."

Once the international break comes to a close, Villa will go up against Newcastle United on September 14.