England goalkeeper Tom Heaton wants a move away from Burnley in January.
Two years ago Heaton appeared to have the world at his feet, having just signed a new long-term deal at the club, and having forced his way into the England squad. However, a dislocated shoulder suffered in a match with Crystal Palace saw him lose both his England and Burnley place to Nick Pope, and, with the arrival of Joe Hart at the club in the summer, Heaton now finds himself third-choice for manager Sean Dyche.
That has prompted him to look for regular first-team football elsewhere, and, according to The Mirror, Aston Villa have been identified as potential suitors. New Villa boss Dean Smith is unhappy with present goalkeeping incumbent Orjan Nyland, who has been inconsistent, and is eyeing Heaton as a potential replacement as he looks to mount a sustained promotion push in the New Year.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.