Orjan Nyland is under big pressure from some Aston Villa supporters. Should Steve Bruce have given Jed Steer a run in the Championship?
It is fair to say Aston Villa are missing Sam Johnstone.
The former Manchester United loanee was one of the Championship’s most reliable goalkeepers during his 18 months with Villa. But you cannot say the same about Johnstone’s successor, the struggling Orjan Nyland.
Signed from German second tier side Ingolstadt, the Norway international has made a number of high-profile errors already. And he did his reputation no favours with a far from convincing display in Saturday’s 4-1 battering at Sheffield United, particularly when we was beaten at the near post by an opportunistic Oliver Norwood free-kick.
This was the final straw for some Villa fans. Why, they are asking, did Steve Bruce allow the talented Jed Steer to leave on loan only to bring Nyland to Villa Park?
Steer made his first league start for Villa in three years during the opening day win at Hull City in August. But, according to the Birmingham Mail, the 25-year-old was told less than 24 hours later that he was surplus to requirements with Nyland set to arrive.
The former Norwich stopper has since joined League One Charlton on loan and, with just a year left on his contract at Villa, he faces an uncertain future. But it seems there is a growing belief among supporters that Bruce should have put his faith in the goalkeeper he let go.
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