Aston Villa’s decision over Jack Butland price-tag looks justified after horror start to new season

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This summer Aston Villa were linked with a host of goalkeeping options. Neil Etheridge of Cardiff City and Juventus’ Mattia Perin were mentioned. In the end, they snapped up Tom Heaton from Burnley but they also showed an interest in a fellow England international stopper. 

That player was Jack Butland. 

As reported by Sky Sports News, Aston Villa ended up ending their interest in Butland due to Stoke City’s transfer demands. The Potters wanted £25 million for the player and Aston Villa were not prepared to pay that sort of money for Butland’s services.

Judging by his start to the season with Stoke, Aston Villa fans should be pleased they took that stance.

Butland has had a horrid start to the season with Stoke. 

It began on the opening day with a howler against QPR but last night he was way below par as Stoke lost 3-1 to Preston to remain bottom of the Championship. 

Butland will have been disappointed not to have saved the opening goal whilst his efforts for the second were almost comical.

It was a poor performance from a player of international standard. Stoke boss Nathan Jones did not hold back in his criticism of the player, as reported by Stoke-on-Trent Live, and it seems his place in the starting XI could be in doubt.

“Everyone talks about him having to leave for his England place, but he’s got to do his job for Stoke first. I don’t know where mentally he must be because there’s so much talk about him.

“You don’t go from being a top goalkeeper to making the errors he is, there must be something playing on his mind. But look, he’s a top keeper who trains really well, but it doesn’t help us.

“I have to pick a side to win a game because if I don’t, trust me there will be a lot more than Jack Butland to worry about.”

It is a shock to see Butland, who is so widely regarded, performing so poorly. Now, some Stoke fans, are even calling for Butland to be dropped for Australian veteran Adam Federici. 

Aston Villa are not currently missing out on a player who looks well short of a £25 million valuation.