Speculation has continued to grow that some of Villa's most high-profile players could be set to leave, with Manchester City expected to step up their pursuit of England midfielder James Milner having already failed with a bid believed to be in the region of £20million.

Reports have also suggested that winger Ashley Young may be on his way out, but Friedel insists the squad's pre-season preparations will not be affected by rumours and stressed that if players are to go, their replacements at Villa Park will be of a similar quality.

Asked if transfer talk was disruptive, the American goalkeeper said: "It really isn't to the players.

"Each player is going to try and get themselves as fit as possible and in the right physical and mental shape for the start of the season.

"What happens in the transfer market has nothing to do with us as players. We can't dictate who comes and we can't dictate who goes.

"If someone does go, and someone does come in, you can count on the fact that a good player will have left and a good player will have come in.

"Then it's about getting things right on the field and adapting when new players come in.

"But I don't pay very much attention at all to speculation. There are so many things that go on and rumours that spread.

"As a player I turn up, I do my work, I go home and then I switch my phone off."

Should he move to Eastlands, Milner will be competing with a host of stars for first-team football at City, who finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League last season - one place above Villa - and have continued to flex their financial muscle in the transfer market since then.

Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Yaya Toure have arrived at City to bolster their ranks over the last few weeks, but Friedel is relishing what should be an even more intense battle for a top four spot next term.

"It is not daunting, it is exciting," said the 39-year-old, who was speaking at the launch of Villa's new home and away kits in Birmingham.

"You want to play in the English Premier League because it is arguably the best and most exciting league in the world.

"When teams can attract the best players in the world - our team included - it makes for exciting games.

"If Man City has a fantastic team then it is up to us to try and get results on the occasions we will play them over the season."

Friedel believes Villa can improve on last year's finish even if the competition is getting stronger.

"I think it has been the case every year since I came over here - every single year it gets tougher," he said.

"That is no different, but as other teams get better, we get better.

"We are very confident going into the new season, we have got a lot of very good players in that changing room and if one or two come, or one or two go, that is irrelevant to us as players."

In terms of possible incoming personnel, Villa have been linked with West Ham's Scott Parker as a potential replacement for Milner, along with Aiden McGeady, who Celtic boss Neil Lennon has indicated may be ready to leave the Scottish club.

Meanwhile, Friedel has paid tribute to team-mate Emile Heskey after the striker announced his retirement from international football.

"He's a tremendous lad, great with the rest of the players and a very hard-working individual," Friedel said.

"He's had a good run with England, with some critics and some fans along the way, but I'm sure his reasons are valid ones."