Aston Villa are the frontrunners to sign Burnley outcast Tom Heaton, claims The Daily Mirror.
Heaton has failed to regain his place in the Burnley goal since dislocating his shoulder in September 2017.
Nick Pope performed beyond expectations in Heaton’s absence and Burnley strengthened their options by signing Joe Hart from Manchester City in the summer.
Heaton last appeared for Burnley at the end of September and hasn’t made a Premier League appearance since sustaining his injury over 12 months ago.
The 32-year-old will almost certainly leave Burnley in January and has already been linked with a move to Championship giants Leeds.
However, it has now emerged that new Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is keen on the veteran goalkeeper to help improve the club’s chances of promotion in the second half of the season.
After failing to re-sign Sam Johnstone in the summer, Villa acquired Orjan Nyland and Andre Moreira as competition for places between the sticks.
Smith’s appointment has improved Villa’s defensive record but there are still doubts in goal, as Nyland, the club’s current No.1, has not looked overly impressive.
In fact, of players that have made at least 15 Championship appearances this season, only two goalkeepers have worse save success rate than Nyland (62.1%).
