Aston Villa would be making smart move by signing Tom Heaton

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Aston Villa have baulked at the asking price Stoke City have put on Jack Butland, and have lined up a much cheaper alternative.

Aston Villa bringing in Tom Heaton for £18 million cheaper than Jack Butland could be one of their smartest moves of the summer.

The Telegraph report that Stoke City won’t budge from their £25 million price-tag for Butland, which has led to Villa looking at other targets.

The Sun claim that Villa will now move for Heaton, who they have made a £7 million bid for.

Heaton may be seven years Butland’s senior, which is one of the reasons why his price-tag is smaller than the Stoke man.

However, as a short-term option, Heaton looks like a great buy for Villa.

In goalkeeping terms Heaton should still have years left to play at the top level, and there is an argument to suggest he is more proven than Butland.

Heaton has impressed in the Premier League with Burnley over a number of seasons, and Villa would be buying a very solid goalkeeper by bringing him in.

In terms of quality there is no a vast difference between Heaton and Butland.

And if Villa can snap up their number new number one in Heaton, while saving themselves £18 million in the process, it could be their smartest move of the summer so far.