Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Mark Bosnich is convinced that the Premier League giants are making a ‘wonderful investment’ with Adelaide United’s Australia international shot-stopper Joe Gauci.
Those of you with a more ‘glass-half full’ mindset may have concerns about a deal which could see Gauci become Aston Villa’s third signing of the January window, after fellow youngsters Kosta Nedejlkovic and Morgan Rogers.
Bosnich, however, sees the positives in Gauci sitting on the bench behind the masterful Emi Martinez, with the 23-year-old Aussie handed the opportunity to hone his not-inconsiderable talents alongside one of world football’s most complete glovesmen.
Aston Villa to sign Australia goalkeeper Joe Gauci
“Martinez is a game-changer. He makes the saves. (For example in the) World Cup final, against Australia in the round of 16… That make the difference,” Bosnich, who spent six years at Villa in between two spells at Manchester United, tells The Sydney Morning Herald.
“It will be a wonderful chance for (Gauci) to learn (from Martinez).
“They’re obviously thinking in terms of having a top back-up, and making sure that they secure the services of one of the top goalkeeping talents, you’d have to say, in the whole of our region.
“It’s a wonderful investment for Aston Villa and for Joe Gauci himself. Just go (to Villa) now. “
Competition for Emi Martinez
Gauci already has two caps for the Australian national team. The 6ft 4ins giant – who has earned his ‘Great Wall of Gauci’ moniker after a series of stand-out domestic displays – was also included in the A-League’s Team of the Year for 2022/23.
HITC Football understands that he could be one of three deadline day arrivals. Teenage left-back Lino Sousa is likely to join from Arsenal alongside another former West Brom academy prospect in the £15 million Morgan Rogers.
The Sydney Morning Herald, meanwhile, believe that Gauci could become the most expensive export in the history of Australia’s top flight, with his fee in excess of the £1.5 million sum Celtic paid to bring in winger Marco Tilio last summer.
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