You have to feel for Tom Heaton.
At the start of 2017/18, the experienced shot-stopper was not only undisputed number one at Burnley but also a regular fixture in the England squad.
But, after suffering a dislocated shoulder in a narrow victory against Crystal Palace, Heaton’s world fell apart.
With Nick Pope stepping up spectacularly in his absence at club level, the former Manchester United youngster didn’t play another Premier League game that season – missing out on the Russian World Cup as a result.
Flash forward to the present day and history is repeating itself.
Heaton is back to full fitness now, completing a gruelling recovery from a cruciate ligament rupture that brought a premature end to his debut campaign at Aston Villa.
But, like Pope at Burnley, Emiliano Martinez is now firmly established as Villa’s number one with Heaton’s most recent top-flight appearance coming 14 long months ago.
Who can blame him, then, if the seldom-seen glovesman opts to bring an end to his ill-fated Aston Villa career during the summer transfer window?
The Athletic reports Heaton, an £8 million signing in 2019, could reject the chance to extend a contract due to expire in a matter of weeks.
At the age of 34, Heaton has a limited shelf life at the top level. And he’s simply too good to waste away his autumn years on the bench.
Here’s what some Aston Villa fans had to say on Twitter about the situation:
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