OPINION
The six yard box at Villa Park might as well have had a revolving door fitted this season.
No sooner had one goalkeeper staked his claim and taken the number one jersey than another seemed to come along and usurp him.
Jed Steer started the campaign between the sticks before both Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic had a crack. Even Mark Bunn played one match, until eventually, like a retro ski jacket, Steer came back into fashion again.
And to his credit the 26-year-old was brilliant when he was called upon in the latter stages of the campaign. He could quite easily have sulked or lost his head after a long spell out of the side, but instead he acted like a model professional, and was a key member of the side that won promotion back to the top flight at the third time of asking.
He would be well within his rights, therefore, to feel very aggrieved if Villa were to make a move for a new stopper.
But according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, the Villans could be looking for a new stopper this summer.
Writing on his personal Twitter account, he said: “Villa. Want a new number one keeper. Kalinic may be sent out on loan.”
VILLA. Want a new number one keeper. Kalinic may be sent out on loan
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) June 2, 2019
If this is true, and it should be pointed out that Nixon is a very decent source, then Steer can feel really cheated.
He has shown that he is good enough to be Villa’s number one, put in a series of performances that have helped the club back into the Premier League, and then the club opt for somebody else.
It would be a very harsh call to make.