Neil Taylor revealed that he believes it would be “massive” for Aston Villa if the club manage to keep Sam Johnstone at the club.
The Villans defender shared that he hoped Johnstone would stay at the club beyond his loan deal which ends in the summer.
“For Villa it would be a massive thing,” said Taylor, as quoted by the Express and Star.
“For us as players we’re enjoying having him with us from Manchester United.
“There’s a reason he’s been kept by that football club for many years, he’s a keeper with great potential and it’s now not only potential, he’s now producing it.
“He’s a classic case of a young lad having had faith shown in him and showing what he can do, long may that continue with us and I’m sure he will be hoping for a successful season here.
“If we can keep him beyond that then that obviously makes sense.”
Johnstone joined Aston Villa on loan in the summer from Manchester United and has impressed in the 30 appearances he has made for the club this season.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper has conceded 27 goals during his 30 outings, and kept 13 clean sheets.
The Villans face an uphill battle to keep Johnstone at the club even if he leaves Man United in the summer, as they face tough competition from local rivals West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies came close to signing the goalkeeper in January after agreeing a £4million fee for him, according to TeamTalk, and the Express and Star reported that Johnstone told friends he was joining WBA.
OPINION
Taylor is correct to suggest it would be ‘massive’ for Aston Villa if they could sign Johnstone from Manchester United. However, unfortunately for the Villans his good performances for the club this season haven’t gone unnoticed by other clubs. West Bromwich Albion appeared to come close to signing the 24-year-old in January, and they will probably return for him in the summer. Based on the goalkeeper’s performances this season, WBA won’t be the only team to try and sign him in the summer, so the Villans will have splash to the cash in order to sign him and somehow convince him his future is with them.