Tom Heaton signed for Aston Villa during the summer for a fee believed to be in the region of £8million. Many pundits were surprised that Burnley allowed what they believed to be their best goalkeeper leave after 6 years at the club.
For Villa, it seemed like a no brainer despite links to Stoke’s Jack Butland in the summer. Although he is 33 years old, he is in his peak years for a goalkeeper. He also has bags of Premier League and International experience. So how has he done so far?
The story so far
During his eight appearances for Villa, he has conceded 12 and kept 2 clean sheets. It may not sound too impressive but when you put it into perspective, it doesn’t sound too bad.
Apart from one mistake in his opening game at Villa Park against Bournemouth, he has been very reliable. The players playing in front of him seem more confident in the man behind them between the sticks.
Six of those games have also come against sides in the top 10 of the Premier League at the time of writing. And just to add to that, half of the goals came very late on against both Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal. Not bad eh?
Alternatives
Villa is not short in the goalkeeper department. Keepers like Lovre Kalinić, Ørjan Nyland and last season’s playoff hero, Jed Steer stand in the wings.
Many Villa supporters would have been happy to give 27-year old Steer the chance he probably deserved in the Premier League. After all, would we be here without his heroics in the Playoff Semi-final against West Bromwich Albion?
But competition doesn’t do anyone harm. If either of the understudies believes they are good enough then they shouldn’t be put off by Heaton’s arrival. They should thrive off it and look to win the number 1 spot and make it their own. ? If you want to check the football betting odds, you have to follow to Max Football Bets.
What have you made of Heaton during his short spell so far with Villa? Are you happy with his contribution?
