HANNOVER, Germany – It was a busy Saturday for Americans playing in Europe, with Brad Guzan and Eric Lichaj each in top form as Aston Villa posted their first win of the young season with a 2-0 decision over Swansea City in English Premier League action.
The former Chivas USA netminder was at his best with a first-half double-save to deny Ashley Williams and Nathan Dyer in spectacular fashion.
Elsewhere, Geoff Cameron came on for the final five minutes to help Stoke City close out a 1-1 share with visiting defending champs Manchester City. The Potters have now drawn each of their first four EPL matches this season.
Turning to Bundesliga play, Jermaine Jones pitched in a solid shift as Schalke remained unbeaten through three rounds with a 2-0 victory at promoted Greuther Fürth.
Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 also stayed bulletproof on the season with a thrilling 3-2 win over nearby rivals Werder Bremen. The Reds blew an early two-goal lead, but got the last laugh thanks to Szabolcs Huszti's stoppage-time decider.
Timothy Chandler ably held down right back for FC Nürnberg, who were 3-2 winners at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Der Club tentatively rose to fourth place with the victory.
In Belgium, Sacha Kljestan went the distance in midfield as Anderlecht fell victim to a late equalizer at Lierse. The 1-1 result pulled the champs to within four points of table-toppers Club Brugge.
To the north in Denmark's Superliga, Michael Parkhurst opened the scoring for FC Nordsjaelland in a clash against Danish giants FC Copenhagen, putting the defending champs up 1-0 just before break. The visitors couldn't make the American's goal count, though. Two goals from Copenhagen eventually made the difference, as Nordsjaelland fell 2-1 just days before their Champions League opener against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Conor O'Brien and SønderjyskE continued their slide with a 2-0 home defeat to Silkeborg. It was the club's fourth straight league loss, dropping them to ninth place.
In Austria's honor division, Terrence Boyd worked 67 minutes in Rapid Vienna's frustrating 0-0 draw with guests Admira Wacker.
Over in Spain's Segunda Division, Carlos Bocanegra watched from the dugout as Racing Santander broke their duck with a 3-0 victory over Recreativo Huelva.
