Report: Aston Villa facing anxious wait over Tom Heaton loan

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Nick Pope’s situation could decide whether Aston Villa manage to land Tom Heaton on loan during the January transfer window.

According to a report from The Sun on Sunday (02/12; page 59), Aston Villa face an anxious wait in their attempt to sign Tom Heaton on loan from Burnley, with Nick Pope’s situation likely to determine whether Dean Smith’s target is available.

Heaton’s injury last season has proved to be costly. Pope’s performances after Heaton was sidelined took everyone by surprise, and Joe Hart has started to get his career back on track following his summer arrival.

Heaton has been Hart’s understudy since returning from injury, and that has seemingly prompted Villa to launch a loan bid for the 32-year-old as Orjan Nyland continues to struggle to win some of his critics over at Villa Park.

But The Sun on Sunday (02/12; page 59) suggests that Heaton’s availability will largely depend on what happens with Pope upon his own return from injury.

The report suggests that the England international could be given the green light to leave if a big bid comes in, and that would then prevent Heaton leaving for the Championship side.

While Hart has impressed this term, it would be a surprise if Pope did not get a chance between the sticks to try and rediscover the form that saw him taken to the World Cup.

And if that proves to be the case, then that will surely leave the path clear for Heaton to make the move to Aston Villa just as the promotion race begins to heat up.