Aston Villa Opinion: Why the Villans should make a move for Tom Heaton?

According to a report from the Sun, Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton has rejected a new contract amidst interest from Aston Villa and Bournemouth.

Heaton, 33, who has just 12 months remaining on his Burnley deal, impressed after reclaiming his first-team spot last season, earning a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Nations League finals.

Sean Dyche is keen to reward Heaton with fresh terms after his impressive performances in the second half of last campaign, but both parties have been unable to come to an agreement thus far, leaving the goalkeeper’s future in doubt. Nick Pope penning a new long-term deal at Turf Moor could play a part in Heaton not agreeing on a new contract.

Aston Villa and Bournemouth are in need of a new goalkeeper, but it’s the latter that should sign Tom Heaton from Burnley.

The Villans have not wasted much time in making their presence felt in the summer transfer window. Having already signed four players, Dean Smith remains hungry for more and interest in Heaton means he isn’t confident with his goalkeeping department ahead of the Premier League season.

Orjan Nyland was Villa’s no.1 when Smith replaced Steve Bruce at Villa Park. To compete with Nyland, the Villans signed Lovre Kalinic from Belgian outfit Gent in January. However, Nyland’s injury saw Smith recall Jed Steer, who was on loan at Charlton Athletic.

Kalinic quickly replaced the injured Nyland but his time in goal was brief as he was replaced by Steer in February. Whilst the Croatian lost his place because of a concussion he suffered against West Brom, Steer starred between the sticks and played a crucial role in Villa’s promotion. Now, Steer has signed a new four-year contract with the newly-promoted club.

As far as Kalinic is concerned, his Villa career has not really got out of the starting blocks and it would perhaps be something of a relief for Dean Smith if he was able to offload the towering Croat, with French outlet 20 minutes claiming Nantes are interested in a loan swoop for the shot-stopper.

If Smith decides to part ways with Kalinic after only six months, then that would leave him with Steer and the currently injured Orland as Villa’s two senior-goalkeeping options.

That won’t be enough for a team heading into the Premier League in 2019/20 and therefore, signing Heaton would make complete sense.

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The 33-year-old is a reliable shot-stopper with plenty of Premier League experience and Villa would do well by having such an experienced goalkeeper on their books. Heaton is unlikely to cost a lot because of his contract situation and if Smith can promise him regular first-team football, signing the England international won’t be much of a problem.

Verdict

A calming influence and a leader on the pitch and off it, Heaton would be a brilliant addition for Smith’s Aston Villa.