Orjan Nyland joined Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
Nyland kept a clean sheet during Villa’s 2-0 win against Bolton Wanderers at Villa Park in the Championship last Friday evening.
It was the third time that the 28-year-old goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet so far this season.
Smith, who was appointed the Villa manager last month, has given his take on the performances of the Norway international goalkeeper in recent weeks.
The Villa boss has praised the 28-year-old, but the former Brentford manager has also been a bit critical of Nyland – who joined the Vilans from FC Ingolstadt in the summer transfer window for a fee reported by The Birmingham Mail to be worth £1 million and when Steve Bruce was the manager of the Championship club.
Smith told The Express & Star about Nyland: “He kept a clean sheet which will give him an awful lot of confidence.
“He spilled one in the first-half and then recovered it. There another one when he wasn’t sure, ended up going for it and gave the corner away.
“Clean sheets give you confidence. I have been here for four games and he has conceded three goals.
“He was maybe questionable for the first goal at Norwich. Other than that I think he has done well.”
Improving
Nyland has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, and it must be very encouraging for the Villa fans.
The Norwegian is the first-choice goalkeeper at Villa this season, and it is important that he plays well week in and week out.
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