Aston Villa should jump at the chance to sign veteran goalkeeper Ben Foster after Watford were relegated from the Premier League, Stan Collymore has told the Mirror (28 July, page 51).
If there is any Hornets player who has emerged from a disastrous 2019/20 season with their reputation in tact, it is their 37-year-old shot-stopper.
Foster might have conceded 64 games in 38 games, including eight in a humiliating defeat at Manchester City, but Watford’s five-year stay in the top flight would have been over long before the final day if it wasn’t for the one-time England glovesman.
Time and again, the evergreen ‘keeper bailed out Watford’s ailing back line with reflexes as sharp as ever even at the age of 37.
Collymore now expects Watford to lose a whole host of star names but, forget Abdoulaye Doucoure and co, it is Foster he would love to see join Dean Smith’s Aston Villa over the next few weeks.
“Watford could lose Ben Foster – who I would love at Aston Villa,” the former striker said.
“Will Hughes, Ismaila Sarr, Abdoulaye Doucoure, maybe Danny Welbeck (could also leave Vicarage Road).
“The Hornets have the ownership structure to be able to plug the gap of any departures though.”
Aston Villa have bid farewell to their own 37-year-old shot-stopper.
Pepe Reina’s loan spell from AC Milan has come to an end after the final day draw at West Ham, which secured a second season in the top flight for the Midland giants.
Matija Sarkic, the young Montenegro international, has also left Villa Park to join local rivals Wolves.
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