Heaton admits he won’t be fit for start
TOM Heaton has ruled himself out of Villa’s first three Premier League fixtures as he continues to recover from last season’s knee ligament injury.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper tore his anterior cruciate ligament at former club Burnley on New Year’s Day, which ruled him out of Villa’s run-in.
Thankfully, with Pepe Reina coming in on loan, Dean Smith’s side clinched survival on the final day of the campaign at West Ham last month. Heaton made 20 appearances following his £8.5 million switch last summer before his season was ended in cruel fashion at Turf Moor.
Fast-forward almost nine months and the England international is now targeting a Villa return at Leicester on October 17.
Heaton said of his longawaited return: “It’s a difficult one to pinpoint. I think the start of the season, unfortunately, has come too soon. When lockdown happened I earmarked it as a possibility.
“It’s landed a little fortunately with the fixtures, not playing the first week (due to the visit to Manchester City being postponed). We’ve only got three league games up until the international break.
“At the minute I’ve got my eye set on that, whether the medics agree, I’m not so sure.
“That certainly gives me enough time, it’s eight-and-ahalf weeks from now to get right and, fingers crossed, we’ll see how it plays out.”
On his injury nightmare, Heaton added: “Six months in at the club and I was enjoying every game. We were pretty much among it, bottom half of the table but were doing okay up until the turn of the year.
“To watch from the sidelines is difficult as a footballer but to watch the lads come out of it in the end was fantastic.”
Heaton’s injury news is a blow to Smith, who will now look to sign a new goalkeeper knowing both Lovre Kalinic and Orjan Nyland have failed to take their chances. Jed Steer will remain at Villa Park as a viable back-up option.
Nevertheless, Heaton believes Villa are well-stocked in the goalkeeping department. “Jed is coming back to fitness, which is good,’’ he said. “He’s been in good form, he’s been excellent in training. Nyland as well, he came in and did excellent when he needed to earlier in the year.
“It’s a strong department. We’ve got Kalinic, who’s come back after being out on loan, so, including myself, we’ve got four senior keepers. Everyone’s vying for positions and getting the best out of each other.”