Aston Villa told to make new goalkeeper signing now as transfer exit confirmed
Dan Bardell has urged Aston Villa to sign a new goalkeeper after Viljami Sinisalo joined Celtic.
The Villans confirmed the goalkeeper’s departure to the Scottish Premiership champions on 17 July via their official website.
The Finland international spent last season on loan with Exeter City where he gained cult hero status.
There was a belief that he would play a role in Unai Emery’s squad next season but has now departed.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes the move makes sense for all parties but has suggested a new signing is needed to replace him.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell: “I think with how he had done on loan, the time was right for him to play first-team football for Villa.
“He’s potentially better than the keepers, other than Martinez, at the club. At his age, he’ll probably want to play regular football somewhere else.
“He’s got more chance of breaking through at Celtic, he’s got a bright future. I understand why he wants to go and why Villa have let him go.
“With him going I think Villa need to sign a new number two now.“
Aston Villa told to replace Viljami Sinisalo
It has come as somewhat of a surprise to see the Villans part ways with the 22-year-old after such a positive spell on loan.
With the goalkeeper options at the club being Robin Olsen and Joe Gauci, ahead of a Champions League season, reinforcements could be necessary.
Sinisalo is a young keeper who would have certainly benefitted from minutes in cup competitions and as a backup to Martinez.
It seems that the Finn wants to be a first-choice keeper or have assurances of regular football and Celtic is the team he has chosen.
There is an air of frustration about this deal for Villa but if the keeper wanted to leave, a sale probably made sense for all parties.
In other Aston Villa news, a summer swap deal has been mooted for Denzel Dumfries to join Emery’s side and one Villa star heads the other way
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