Alan Hutton has claimed Dean Smith has made up his mind to snub Pepe Reina and keep Orjan Nyland as the first-choice Aston Villa goalkeeper until the end of the season.
The well-connected former Villa star, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, believes the 29-year-old will be given an extended run in what would be a massive call by the manager with the club’s relegation hopes hanging by a thread.
Nyland was brought back into starting XI by Smith for the Villans’ first two games back from lockdown despite Reina starting all six league games prior to the Premier League shutdown.
Having seen his old teammate keep the Spanish veteran on the bench against Sheffield United and Chelsea, Hutton believes Smith will keep the faith in the Norwegian ace.
Hutton told Football Insider: “I think sometimes the problem I found with Villa over the years, not just with Dean Smith – I’m talking about for the whole time I was there – was that there were too many keepers in and out.
“I think that was a problem, or one of the problems. It seems he’s made up his mind for the remainder of the season and I hope he sticks to it because I think Nyland is a great keeper, it’s just about building his confidence back up and realising he can be the number one there.
“I like to think he’s made his choice now and he’s going to stick by it, all being well and there’s no injury picked up or anything like that, he’s going to be the number one for now.”
Nyland has played just five times in the Premier League so far, though he was an important figure in the club’s run to the League Cup final this season.
The 28-cap stopper was thrust into the limelight in the first game back from lockdown after goalline technology failed to award a goal despite him carrying the ball over the line.
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By: Football Insider speaking to Alan Hutton
Title: Aston Villa news: Hutton tips Nyland to keep Reina out
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-alan-hutton-drops-massive-aston-villa-team-news-reveal/
Published Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2020 18:55:18 +0000