Tom Heaton, Kortney Hause and Frederic Guilbert took a big step towards returning to the Aston Villa first team after starting in the U23s’ defeat to Leeds United on Sunday. Mark Delaney’s men lost 3-2 at Thorp Arch, but the aforementioned trio got a full 90 minutes which should do wonders for their match fitness.
Until Heaton returns to the first team, Emiliano Martinez will likely be the starting goalkeeper and Jed Steer will be second choice. The 34-year-old’s last Villa appearance came in January’s 2-1 win over Burnley, but he has featured in three of the reserve team’s last four outings, so he’s nearing a comeback.
Hause’s eventual return will see him battle Bjorn Engels and Ezri Konsa for a starting place alongside Tyrone Mings. The 22-year-old has only made three appearances this season, none of which have come in the Premier League, but he was an unused substitute against Wolves a day before the Leeds game (Transfermarkt) so he is ahead of Heaton and Guilbert in terms of a first team return.
Guilbert has Matty Cash and Ahmed Elmohamady ahead of him in the right-back pecking order and doesn’t have a minute of Premier League football to his name this season, so it remains to be seen if he will feature upon his return. The 25-year-old may have to be patient in awaiting his chance.
In other news, Dean Smith admits he made a ‘harsh’ call on one Aston Villa player.
