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Unai Emery to make Aston Villa contract decision on Jed Steer as expert opinion shared on injury issues
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
It’ll be down to Unai Emery to decide whether Jed Steer is offered a new contract to extend his stay at Aston Villa beyond the end of this season, according to Alan Hutton.
Steer, 30, hasn’t played for Villa since losing a Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out against Chelsea in September 2021.
The ex-Norwich goalkeeper was loaned out to Luton Town later in the 2021/22 season but suffered an Achilles tendon injury in, coincidentally, an FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.
Speaking to Villa News last month, injury expert Dr Rajpal Brar suggested that Steer’s latest injury is a “potential Achilles rupture“, meaning it was always going to be a lengthy lay-off for the experienced goalkeeper.
Hutton played alongside Steer at Villa Park and he’s revealed how tough his former teammate found it with injury issues back then.
However, with Steer’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Hutton believes Emery has a decision to make on the English shot-stopper.
“You have to have a third-choice goalkeeper,” Hutton told Villa News.
“I do feel sorry for Steer because when I was out with my knee injury, he was out with an Achilles injury and he went through a really tough time with injuries.
“I know he’s a right good lad who works ever so hard. He fits the bill where he’s happy to be there, to work hard and to be there if he’s ever called upon.
“Do you give him a new contract? It’s really down to the manager and whether he sees him in his plans.
“But I know Steer would probably be desperate to play.
“We’ll wait and see.”
In other Aston Villa news, the club has been told to seal the re-signing of an expensive player amid transfer news.