Heat-seeker Smith is surprised to find Tom
DEAN Smith has conceded he was surprised Villa managed to tease goalkeeper Tom Heaton from Burnley.
Villa made England international Heaton their 11th signing of the summer at the end of last week – a deal that cost them about £8 million.
The 33-year-old was No.1 at the Clarets and Smith admits he was startled that Villa were able to secure the services of a first-choice player from a top-flight rival.
“I was very surprised we were able to get Tom,” said the head coach. “He’s been a very successful keeper for Burnley; he played the last 19 games and was pivotal in their resurgence in the league last season.
“He had an injury the season before but I think you look at the reaction of the opposition supporters to know you’ve got a really good signing, when they’re very disappointed he left them.
“It was something we needed. I thought we’d recruited very well, maybe a bit of inexperience of the Premier League but a lot of hunger and drive to do well.
”Tom gives us that experience as well, but it’s also his personality – he’s one of the leaders in and around the
dressing room and one that would do well for us.”
Villa’s move for Heaton has been hailed as ‘ one of the best signings’ of the transfer window by Ian Taylor.
The claret and blue hero heaped praise on his former club for landing the England fringe player, who he says will provide a quality option in goal for years to come.
Heaton impressed on his debut in the pre-season friendly against RB Leipzig in Germany at the weekend.
And Taylor said: “We’ve had a fantastic transfer window with some very smart transfers.
“I think Tom Heaton could be one of the best signings of the whole window. He’s still got years ahead of him. He probably still has five or six years, so I think it’s fantastic.”
Burnley could not compete with the financial package offered to Heaton by Villa, Clarets boss Sean Dyche has revealed.
The goalkeeper left Turf Moor last week after six seasons to join the Premier League new boys.
Heaton was keen to play first-team football but, with Nick Pope and Joe Hart also in the mix at Burnley, Villa swooped for the 33-year-old.
He had a year left on his deal and the Clarets were involved in discussions about extending that but Villa reached the sale value Burnley were looking for and flexed their financial muscles.
“It was just a simple equation,” said Dyche. “He got a nice offer for his family as well, which is important at his age, something we couldn’t compete with, and that’s another sign of the market – someone new to the Premier League can out-pay us considerably.
“So he had to do that, and it’s right and proper players do that, and from our point of view, when it hit a certain mark, everyone agreed that’s the mark it takes to do the deal.”
Heaton was Dyche’s first permanent signing as Burnley boss when he joined from Bristol City in 2013 on a free transfer. Since then the keeper has won two promotions to the Prem ier League , earned international recognition land and captained the Europe.
Dyche was full of praise for Villa’s new man. “I can’t say enough good things about him, a tremendous servant, both on and off the pitch,” he said,
“And all the work he’s ever put in pays him back with all the performances he’s had and England. Every success we had he’s been a part of.
“He’ll be well thought of here and anything he needs I’ll certainly be there for him. But we’ve had loads of good players and good people. He’s certainly at the top of the list.”
Villa Park’s North Stand has undergone a dramatic summer makeover. Villa return to Premier League action at Tottenham’s new stadium on Saturday before returning to the Second City for a showdown with Bournemouth on August 17.
Smith and his players have enjoyed an excellent pre-season, winning all five of their fixtures and fans are optimistic Villa can hold their own in the ultra-competitive top flight after three years away.
Supporters are equally pleased with the efforts the club have gone to in order to improve Villa Park. Owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens have funded plenty of improvements, particularly to the North Stand. with EngClarets in