According to Sun reporter Alan Nixon (below), Aston Villa could be willing to nip in and bring in goalkeeper Tom Heaton from Burnley.
Nixon’s tweet mentions that VIlla are “strong favourites” to land the out-of-favour Burnley stopper, something that will dismay many Leeds United fans.
The Whites are suffering something of a keeper crisis at the moment. First-choice Bailey Peacock-Farrell missed yesterday’s game with a knee injury, this being compounded by back-up Jamal Blackman returning to Chelsea after breaking his leg.
Leeds were forced to give a début to England Under-20 keeper Will Huffer in yesterday’s 2-0 win against 10-man Bristol City. The youngster was largely protected by United’s dominant game and possession ethos, but it will be a risk they don’t want to continue trying.
Such is the lack of experienced keepers at Elland Road that the substitute stopper was another untried youngster in young Pole Kamil Miazek. The whole situation has led Whites fans to question whether the club will be making a move for an experienced keeper come January.
Heaton has been one mentioned as on the list of possibilities that Leeds United are considering, it would meet with fan acceptance. 32-year-old, Chester-born Heaton has bags of experience, and would easily fit what Leeds United are looking for.
Starting at Wrexham, the three-cap England international spent six years as an understudy at Manchester United before a series of free transfers saw him move first to Cardiff City, then to Bristol City and finally to current club Burnley in 2013.
He’s got the experience required by both Leeds United and Aston Villa with 77 Premier League and 185 Sky Bet Championship appearances to his name.
However, whilst Leeds United fans may see him as the answer to the current crisis at Elland Road, it seems that there could be disappointment ahead with Villa poised to nip in and take the veteran stopper on a January loan.
