'Writing's on the wall' - Goalkeeper tipped to complete Aston Villa transfer

Aston Villa transfer news - Young goalkeeper Matija Sarkic appears destined for the Bodymoor Heath exit

It appears as though Matija Sarkic’s time at Aston Villa is coming to an end, before it ever really got going.

Speaking recently to the media in his native Montenegro, the young goalkeeper has explained that although Villa would like to extend his contract, which is currently set to expire next month, he is intent on moving on in order to become a first choice goalkeeper elsewhere.

Having spent the first half of the season at Scottish outfit Livingston, where he played 18 matches, Sarkic was recalled by Villa after the injuries to Jed Steer and Tom Heaton.

Since then, though, both Orjan Nyland and then Pepe Reina have been given opportunities over the youngster, and he now is looking for a chance with another club - Sunderland are one such outfit who are said to be interested.

Former teammate Alan Hutton has sympathised with Sarkic’s situation, and admits that a parting of the ways is perhaps the best option for the player, having not enjoyed a look-in under Dean Smith this term.

The former Scotland international doesn’t doubt Sarkic’s abilities, though, having seen him up close on a regular basis during his time at Villa Park.

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“For instance, if Heaton got injured, Jed Steer got injured and he came in as the goalkeeper and played for X amount of months, that would then show you that they’re looking at you for the future,” Hutton told Football Insider.

“For him to be called back and not play any minutes, I think the writing’s on the wall then – if it was me, I would be saying: ‘I’ve been called back, I’m not playing in a crisis of goalkeeping injuries, I’m not sure my future’s here.’

“He’s a talented goalkeeper, he trained with us more or less every day so he does have ability – the problem there is he’s got a lot of goalkeepers in front of him. He’s 22 now, he’s going to want to play games and they’ve got other boys coming through that are younger.

“There comes a time where you need to decide that you need to play football – you can’t just sit on the sidelines and hope it’s going to happen because it’s not. You have to get out there. Do I ever think he’d have been the Villa number one? No, I’m not so sure.”