Forget Jack Butland, Aston Villa should be targeting Tom Heaton

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Aston Villa ended their three-year exile from the Premier League by beating Derby County in the Championship Play-Off Final at the end of May.

Dean Smith oversaw a remarkable end of season run to steer the club back into the top-flight.

The challenge now is for the boss to build a squad that can be competitive in the Premier League and avoid an instant return to the Championship.

Anwar El-Ghazi, Kortney Hause and Jota have already arrived at Villa Park; with Wesley Moraes awaiting international clearance ahead of his transfer from Club Brugge.

Another area that Smith is keen to strengthen is between the posts.

Stoke’s Jack Butland, Cardiff City stopper Neil Etheridge and Tom Heaton of Burnley have all been linked to the club, according to Birmingham Live.

Championship outfit Stoke apparently want in excess of £30 million for Butland (The Times); whilst Cardiff could demand over £10 million for Etheridge.

Butland and Etheridge could both have bright futures ahead of them but they don’t represent value for money.

The inflated valuations of the Championship duo should lead Villa to Heaton.

Of the three linked with a move, he is probably the best overall option for Smith to consider.

Experience

After wrangling the gloves away from Joe Hart following his return from injury in December, he was inspired during the second half of the campaign.

He led Burnley towards Premier League safety with a string of quality performances.

The Sun reports that the 33-year-old might only cost £5 million and that would represent peanuts for such a quality goalkeeper.

Heaton boasts 96 Premier League appearances and would represent a low-risk option for Villa.

The Clarets’ stopper has three England caps to his name and is out of contract next summer; with Burnley keen to extend his deal.

If Smith can turn Heaton’s head towards Villa he could complete a really shrewd signing ahead of next season.