‘Amazing opportunity’: 27-year-old goalkeeper confirms on Twitter he has been training with Aston Villa

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Former Premier League goalkeeper Joel Coleman has been training with Aston Villa during his time as a free agent.

Coleman has played for Huddersfield in the top flight but was most recently with Rochdale before being released in May.

On Twitter, the 27-year-old hailed the ‘amazing opportunity’ he has been given to train with Steven Gerrard’s men this season.

Coleman training with Villa

Villa have goalkeepers Emi Martinez, Robin Olsen and Jed Steer, so they are well-stocked with experienced options between the sticks.

It does not seem like Villa are planning to sign the stopper, but are allowing him to keep himself fit and sharp in case an offer comes in.

Sometimes, teams will get an injury crisis in goal and they are allowed to bring in emergency cover, which may give Coleman a route back in.

Coleman was last seen playing in League 2 but has experience of playing in the Championship and League 1 as well as his solitary Premier League appearance against Southampton in May 2019.

He could also be looking to get a new club in the January transfer window, by which time the World Cup will have passed.

It is hard for clubs to bring in new goalkeepers mid-season because their number one will generally be set, but injuries can play a part and change plans.

For the time being, Coleman is training with a Villa squad looking to recover from the weekend defeat to Chelsea and ease some pressure on Steven Gerrard.