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Staying or Leaving Aston Villa Football Club: Goalkeepers

By Josh Tonti

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: John Terry of Aston Villa and Sam Johnstone of Aston Villa celebrate victory together after the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on April 3, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: John Terry of Aston Villa and Sam Johnstone of Aston Villa celebrate victory together after the Sky Bet Championship match between Aston Villa and Reading at Villa Park on April 3, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Welcome to Part I of a series that we’ll run concurrently with position grades. As they say, the show must go on, and Aston Villa resume Championship league play in just over two months. Who’s staying and who’s going: Goalkeepers

Aston Villa enjoyed incredible goalkeeping play in the 2017/2018 season. Of course, Sam Johnstone was the star, starting 45 of the 46 league matches with a low 29 goals conceded. But he wasn’t the only sign of encouragement.

Jed Steer played very well in four Cup matches (3 EFL Cup, 1 FA Cup appearance), but his season ended abruptly after shoulder surgery. His season probably provided more questions than answers moving forward about whether or not he can reliably hold down the Villa #1 jersey. Moreover, I’d be remiss not to mention veteran Mark Bunn. Signed late last summer, the #3 moved into a reserve role after Steer went down. Bunn played very well in the final league match, a 1-0 defeat at Millwall where he saved a spot kick. On the youth side, Matika Šarkic and Viktor Johansson backstopped the under-23s to two titles and a near-promotion themselves.

Staying or Leaving: Sam Johnstone

Johnstone is such an interesting case because he’s probably a starter for a mid-to-low table Premier League club right now. He will have no shortage of interested backers, but does he want to go somewhere that has clear competition, thus potentially harming his development? His deal at Manchester United runs through 2019, so unless an extension is in order, the Red Devils are in sell-only mode. And obviously, he isn’t beating out David De Gea for the position.

I’m putting the chances Johnstone returns to Aston Villa around 20%. There are outside possibilities the club could round-up the cash needed to persuade United to sell. Though remote, it is also possible Johnstone’s representatives could push the club to loan him back to Bruce & Villa, where he may feel at his most comfortable.

Result: Leaving

Staying or Leaving: Jed Steer

Barring the unforeseen, Jed Steer will be back at Aston Villa, in the final year of his contract. The question remains: Is that as the #1 or deputy? The market, and Villa’s financial position, will largely dictate whether competition is brought in to compete with the 25-year old.

Could there be an extension in the works for the two sides?

Result: Staying

Next: Heartbreak at Wembley Stadium

Staying or Leaving: Mark Bunn

I see Mark Bunn’s situation working out similarly to last summer. If still unsigned, the two sides could come together for a deal that makes Bunn the veteran #3 at the club. Perhaps Sarkic moves into the deputy role, perhaps not. I’m putting the chances Bunn returns to Aston Villa around 40%.

Result: Leaving

Staying or Leaving: Pierluigi Gollini

I genuinely have no idea. His loan at Atalanta was not particularly good, but he still has suitors in Italy. If Steve Bruce is the manager, it’s hard to imagine him rating Gollini, considering he jettisoned the talented ‘keeper 18 months ago.

Result: Leaving

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