Sam Johnstone’s error gifted Nottingham Forest a route back into Saturday’s clash; not the first time a goalkeeping howler has cost Aston Villa.
Although it would seem rather churlish to blame Aston Villa’s inconsistent second tier campaign on the odd goalkeeping mistake, their inability to sign a proven, experienced shot-stopper has only added to the growing problems facing Steve Bruce.
First there was Pierluigi Gollini, the talented young Italian tipped in some quarters as the heir to Gianluigi Buffon at Juventus. At Villa Park, however, he proved barely fit to lace Thomas Sorensen’s boots.
The 21-year-old, who had been relegated from Serie A with Hellas Verona a few months previously, conceding 63 goals along the way, struggled in exactly the way you would expect a young, foreign goalkeeper attempting to make his mark on this most physical, unforgiving of leagues.
An inability to command his area and a couple of rookie mistakes in defeats to Leeds United and Norwich City meant he was quickly usurped by Mark Bunn, a goalkeeper who had not played more than 30 games in a season since 2009/10.
Broken promises? Aston Villa fans react as Tony Xia plays down expectations
After Gollini scarpered back to Serie A, Manchester United loanee Sam Johnstone donned the gloves, but following a horrible fumble which provided the platform for Nottingham Forest’s turnaround victory on Saturday, concerns too have arisen over the 23-year-old.
Johnstone appears certain to return to Old Trafford at the end of the season, meaning Villa will begin the summer once again on the lookout for a new number one.
5 players who can kick-start careers with January moves, featuring Derby’s play-off hope
It is no coincidence that the current top two boast arguably the most consistent ‘keepers in the division: Karl Darlow at Newcastle United and David Stockdale of Fulham.
If Villa are to avoid stagnating in the second tier, they cannot afford to make the same mistakes twice.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
