Why Aston Villa have made a mistake by loaning our Jed Steer

The summer transfer window was a strange one in many ways for EFL Championship side Aston Villa. Things began with a lot of uncertainty due to the club’s financial status and the impending FFP sanctions, but the subsequent takeover by new owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens calmed things down to some extent.

The Midlands outfit were able to hold on to their prized asset Jack Grealish and bring in a few players as well. However, to keep the wage bill under check, a number of players were shown the doors too – most notably John Terry, who could amazingly be re-signed soon. (h/t Birmingham Mail)

But one of their most baffling decisions was to loan out goalkeeper Jed Steer to League One outfit Charlton Athletic this summer.

Steer has been on the club’s books for five years now, having signed from Norwich City in 2013. However, the 25-year-old managed to make just 9 first-team appearances. The Englishman has spent most of his time away on loan, serving spells at Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town and Huddersfield Town. Meanwhile, injuries have also had a bearing on his pathway to the Villa first-team.

However, this season was perfect for Villa to provide the talented custodian with a shot between the sticks. With last season’s star Sam Johnstone gone, a new keeper was needed and Steer had all the credentials for the job.

But Villa brought in Andre Moreira on loan from Atletico Madrid to compete for places along with Mark Bunn. Things seemed fine when the 25-year-old was handed a start in Villa’s season opener against Hull City, with Steer making a solid impression.

And then Villa sanctioned a move for Orjan Nyland, who arrived from German second-tier outfit FC Ingolstadt and suddenly, Steer became surplus to requirements.

Since joining the Midlands outfit, however, the Norwegian has made a number of high-profile errors already. And his reputation took a beating after his highly unconvincing display in last weekend’s 4-1 humbling at the hands of Sheffield United. The way he was beaten at the near post by Oliver Norwood’s free-kick summed it all up.

In their first six games in the Championship, Villa have already shipped in 11 goals, with Nyland conceding ten in his five appearances – a poor rate of two per game. To put things into perspective, Villa conceded just 42 times last season, doing so at a rate of less than a goal per game.

Leeds United had gone down a similar path last season, bringing in German goalie Felix Wiedwald only to see him make numerous errors. It seems like Villa are also headed in a similar direction with Nyland.

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While it can’t be guaranteed that Steer would have been a total success for Villa, the goalkeeper did have the experience of playing in the Championship and had done well at this level previously. That would have made him better-equipped than Nyland to take over the No.1 duties at Villa Park.

With Steer in the last year of his contract with the Villans, he could well end up leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season, making the situation worse for the club. (h/t Birmingham Mail)