Former Aston Villa star Lee Hendrie has been left head over heels over the “massive” impact that Jed Steer has made on the defence in the second half of the season.
The goalkeeper started the season between the sticks for the Villans before being shipped off to Charlton Athletic on loan, his temporary spell coming to an end in January with a return to Villa Park following Orjan Nyland’s injury.
Taking the starting XI role from Lovre Kalinic, Steer has been one of the club’s unsung heroes according to Hendrie and the Sky Sports pundit revealed his surprise that he was allowed to leave in the first place.
He told Sky Sports’ coverage (11/05, 12:07) of the first leg of their play-off semi final versus West Brom: “Bringing Jed Steer back was a massive, massive plus for me. I thought he started the season well, so surprised to see him go on loan to Charlton.
“To come back and Dean had that belief in him. That back four for me has been so, so important.”
Opinion
Villa’s defence was one of their biggest problems in the first half of the season and Steer’s inclusion in the side has definitely helped bring some much needed composure and command to their penalty box. He might not be the flashiest of shot stoppers but he is an imposing presence who will do a decent job week in, week out. There are very few risks in his game and while he might not be the most technically gifted footballer, with other shot stoppers more adept with the ball at his feet, but he has a good delivery from both the ground and from his hands, not to mention confident in keeping the ball out of the back of the net. Hendrie is absolutely right to herald the keeper as one of the most important figures in the club’s rise up the table and into the play-offs – and to think he was considered surplus to requirements at the start of the season.