Michael Brown believes that Dean Smith felt he needed a goalkeeper with more Premier League experience as Aston Villa close in on signing Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal.
The former Leeds and Tottenham midfielder, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, believes the Villa boss lacks faith in the likes of Orjan Nyland, Jed Steer and Lovre Kalinic to deputise for the absent Tom Heaton.
As revealed by Football Insider, Villa are closing in on a deal worth around £20million to sign the 28-year-old shot-stopper from Arsenal.
It is understood Martinez is set to triple his wages after agreeing personal terms with Dean Smith’s men.
Brown believes that the Villa boss wanted to add a keeper with more Premier League experience to his squad after Pepe Reina’s loan came to an end this summer.
Brown told Football Insider, “You could see goalkeepers brought in – Heaton, he’s missed a lot of minutes, so you need this competition, we’ve seen goalkeepers change on many occasions.
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“You expect it nowadays, it’s just standard practice to have three senior goalkeepers. They brought in experience in the second half of last season in Pepe Reina so he obviously feels it’s important to have somebody who knows the Premier League.”
Heaton has been missing since the start of 2020 after he picked up a serious knee ligament injury.
Reina played the majority of Premier League games after he joined on loan from AC Milan but the Spanish shot-stopper has now moved to Napoli in a permanent move.
In other news, London big hitters are fighting Aston Villa to sign proven Premier League outfield player after big offer submitted.
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By: Football Insider speaking to Michael Brown
Title: Brown reacts as Martinez deal close
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-pundit-reacts-after-aston-villa-agree-terms-with-important-signing/
Published Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2020 12:18:14 +0000
