Aston Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland says he is ready to step up after returning from a long-term injury. Nyland joined Villa from German outfit Ingolstadt in the summer of 2018 on a three-year deal and he played a key role in their promotion campaign.
The 27-time Norway international featured 23 times in the second tier, keeping five clean sheets, but his season was ended prematurely.
He ruptured his Achilles in December and has only recently returned to full fitness after a successful rehabilitation period.
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The 29-year-old turned out twice for Villa’s under-23s against Norwich and Manchester United and has been called up by Norway for the current international break.
The stopper will be hoping to gain some valuable minutes when The Lions take on Spain and Romania in Euro 2020 Qualifying.
But Nyland now faces a battle to reclaim the number one jersey at Villa Park with even more competition for places.
Dean Smith heavily reinforced his squad over the summer and England international Tom Heaton was drafted in from Burnley.
Heaton has started all eight of their Premier League fixtures, earning two clean sheets, while Croatia international Lovre Kalinic has been promoted to number two.
Nyland accepts that he will have to bide his time at club level but insists he is “ready” to go if called upon by Smith. “I am part of everything the team does, and in a way I am part of it even though I have not been able to play yet,”
said Nyland. “It can turn fast in football. It happened in a negative sense for me last year. Injuries and such things happen quickly, so it’s all about being ready.”
Villa, who sit 15th after thrashing Norwich 5-1 on Saturday, return to Premier League action at home to Brighton on October 19.
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