Joe Hart, Jack Grealish and Ian Taylor were just some of the people who reacted on Instagram to Tom Heaton making an injury comeback for Aston Villa’s U23’s on Monday.
After spending 10 months on the sidelines, Villa’s former number one completed his first 90 minutes as the youngsters secured a 2-0 win against Stoke City.
A number of Heaton’s teammates reacted with emoji’s, Grealish posted heart emojis, whilst Matty Cash reacted with fire emojis.
Tottenham’s number two, and Heaton’s former England teammate, Hart wrote: ‘Go on Heats’ added with a heart emoji. Whilst Villa legend Taylor wrote: ‘Love it’.
During Heaton’s days and months on the sidelines, Villa have had Orjan Nyland, Pepe Reina and now Emiliano Martinez in between the sticks.
Two of those have since left and been replaced by summer signing Martinez, who has been a standout performer since he swapped the Emirates for Villa Park.
Before his injury, it could be argued that Heaton was Villa’s second-best player behind Grealish in terms of performances during that season, but with Martinez’s form since joining, he will now have to settle for a place on the bench.
From Dean Smith’s perspective, he has two number one’s at his disposal, so he won’t be moaning too much.
Not forgetting, promotion hero Jed Steer and £7 million signing Lovre Kalinic, who are still at the club and have seemingly become forgotten men.
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