Aston Villa shot-stopper Tom Heaton suffered a knee injury against his former club Burnley on New Year’s Day. The goalkeeper landed awkwardly at Turf Moor and was required to be stretchered off the pitch.
Later, it was confirmed that the Englishman would miss the rest of the season and the goalkeeper himself has suggested that it could take even longer for him to be back in action due to the nature of the injury.
Former Villa favourite Darren Bent revealed to Football Insider that Heaton’s injury was devastating and a bitter blow.
He said:
It’s devastating for him because I’m telling you now, Heaton would be in the mix for England number one if he was fully fit.
For him himself it’s a bitter blow. I hope he comes back quickly, I hate seeing players injured but I hate seeing players injured especially someone of his quality.
But we believe Dean Smith has found the ideal solution to the problem – Pepe Reina.
The 37-year-old joined Villa last month, but how is the Spaniard the solution?
Just by watching his display against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday, you’ll know-how.
The veteran shot-stopper was in inspired form, saving Heung-Min Son’s penalty in the first half before denying the visitors on multiple occasions in the second period.
Reina was a commanding presence in the box and we feel almost single-handedly earned Villa a point at Villa Park.
The former Liverpool man has 13 saves in four top-flight appearances this season and his impressive form shows that Villa could be in safe hands until the end of the campaign.
It’s not just his displays that are important to the team, his experience is also vital.
After the game, the goalkeeper spoke about the positives from the defeat and rather than criticising his teammates, spoke glowingly about them, which shows his leadership skills.
At one stage in January, we feel the goalkeeper position was proving to be problematic for Villa because of Heaton’s injury, but after the acquisition of Reina, any such worries have gone after his immense displays on and off the pitch.
