Mark Schwarzer has told the Football Show on Sky Sports (17/09/20 at 12:45 pm) that he ‘fears’ for Tom Heaton’s future now Aston Villa have signed Emiliano Martinez.
The former Premier League goalkeeper stated that Heaton is a ‘great’ player who simply has been ‘very unfortunate’ which injuries.
Heaton has been out of action ever since his season-ending injury on New Year’s Day, with Villa bringing in two shot-stoppers during that time – Pepe Reina, who has since left, and now Martinez.
Given that Villa paid £17 million [BBC Sport] for Martinez’s services, Schwarzer expects him to don the number one gloves for this season.
“Why do Aston Villa have such bad luck with goalkeepers?” said Schwarzer as he repeated the presenter’s question.
“I mean Tom Heaton is a great goalkeeper and it’s very unfortunate that he has been injured. But you fear for him now.
“How much of an opportunity will he have once he gets back fit? Martinez has clearly been bought to be number one now and I think it’s a great acquisition for Aston Villa.”
Heaton was purchased by Villa last summer, and before his season-ender, he was perhaps Villa’s best player behind Jack Grealish.
In truth, he hasn’t done anything wrong, but with the Englishmen still recovering, Dean Smith clearly feels that he needs to bulk up an already packed department.
Villa now have 5 senior goalkeepers on their books – Martinez, Heaton, Orjan Nyland, Jed Steer and Lovre Kalinic.
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