In a recent report, The Athletic has offered an update on Aston Villa custodian Tom Heaton’s future. It has been revealed that the Villa keeper wants to leave the club at the end of this campaign in search of more first-team opportunities next season (via The Athletic).
Heaton’s Mounting Frustrations At Villa Park This Season
The Chester-born talent is yet to make a senior appearance for the West Midlands outfit after missing several matches as he was recovering from a cruciate ligament injury. Heaton has only featured in four matches in the Premier League 2, conceding seven goals and securing one clean sheet so far.
Emiliano Martinez’s excellent form this season has kept the English shot-stopper out of Dean Smith’s first team. The 34-year-old has been forced to settle for a spot on the bench, so it is no surprise that he is seeking a move elsewhere in search of more playing minutes in the coming seasons.
At 34, Heaton doesn’t have too many years left in him to play at a high level. Hence, he should prioritize on sealing a move away from Villa Park when his contract expires and he becomes a free agent in the summer.
What Does The English Goalie Bring To The Table?
Heaton has got a wealth of experience of playing at the highest level and can still do a decent job for a top-flight side in Europe. The veteran goalie possesses decent reflexes that enable him to pull off a few solid saves for his side.
The three-time England international is a good handler of the ball and excels at coming out of his six-yard box to collect any crosses and lose balls. However, injuries have hampered his career at Villa Park, so there are some serious concerns over his long-term worth as a first-choice keeper. Furthermore, he has not played any competitive football at the senior level for a long time which makes him a gamble even though he will be available as a free agent.
Can The Villans Afford To Lose Heaton This Summer?
Martinez is currently Dean Smith’s undisputed number one option for the goal-keeping position, so the Villans can afford to lose Heaton’s services this summer. He is clearly not part of Smith’s long-term plans at Villa Park. Hence, the West Midlands giants should consider parting ways with him and bringing in a suitable replacement who will be able to add more competition for Martinez next season.
