Aston Villa have experienced quite a resurrection in form since Steve Bruce took over the club. The Villans suffered relegation from the Premier League last season but were expected to make an immediate comeback to the top tier due to the amazing intent they showed in the transfer market this summer.
However, despite splashing the cash and the appointment of a Champions League winning manager like Roberto De Matteo in the summer, Villa started the season horrendously but Bruce has done quite well to bring them back on track after replacing De Matteo.
Aston Villa are still some way off the playoff spot but there is still plenty of football left to be played and Steve Bruce is a pro in promotion battle. So, Villa still have a decent hope to get their place in the Premier League back as early as the next season. As per the official twitter account of Manchester United, the Red Devils are willing to let their backup keeper Sam Johnstone leave Old Trafford in January to gain first-team experience which will act as a major boost for Aston Villa who are in dire need of reinforcements under the bar.
The Birmingham Mail reported earlier this month that a deal is done for the United keeper to move to Villa, as they “have an agreement to take the 23-year-old on loan when the window opens”. Amidst these, United officially declaring Johnstone up for grabs on a temporary basis will be a good news for the Midlands club.
Sam Johnstone has always been a highly-rated keeper but has failed to make the first-team of his boyhood club thus far. He is 23 now and should show an ambition to get regular first-team football or else no one will remember his promise shown at one time. If he does not get what he want at Old Trafford, moving on loan to Villa Park does make sense.
Aston Villa signed Pierluigi Gollini from Hellas Verona in the summer and he has made some costly mistakes between the sticks this season. Mark Bunn has hardly looked confident enough when he featured in Gollini’s place. Jed Steer is another option Bruce has at his disposal but he is ruled out for months. Johnstone has plenty of League One and Championship experience in his locker over the years on loan from Manchester United and could be the fix to Villa’s goalkeeping woes.
Both the player and Manchester United probably would have liked the prospect of Johnstone moving to another Premier League club on loan but that seems too much to ask for. Aged 23, he is past the point of playing regular Premier League 2 football with the aspiring academy products. This move will be a good one for both parties and Bruce has to make this happen.
