Orjan Nyland was the hero for Aston Villa after saving a late penalty against Swansea City to ensure the Midlands outfit took all three points on Boxing Day.
Villa beat the Swans 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium and nearly threw their narrow lead away late in the game after conceding a spot-kick in injury time. Nyland stopped Wilfried Bony’s effort, however, and was lauded by some supporters as a result.
The 28-year-old has struggled for consistency ever since he made the move from FC Ingolstadt over the summer, but Nyland proved his worth to the supporters and his manager with his showing on Wednesday.
Nyland picked up his first clean sheet since December 1 against Middlesbrough and only his sixth of the season. After Villa shipped seven goals in three games, shutting out Swansea was a big achievement and fans thanked the goalkeeper for his contribution.
Great save, clean sheet too. Keep up the good work UTV!!
— Alison Partridge (@AlisonPartridg4) December 26, 2018
We’ll done Ørjan – having another keeper will be good for the club. Keep up that level of performance and we will be in with a shout.
— Joe Montague Ⓥ (@joemontagoo) December 26, 2018
Good performance today Orjan and great penalty save. Well done ???????? #avfc
— Stuart Caldicott (@stuartcaldicott) December 26, 2018
Well done today great save ????????????
— Nigel J Moore ⚽️ (@Moorski7) December 26, 2018
You saved us the points today. Well done.
— Chez Avfc (@AvfcUTV1) December 26, 2018
Excellent mate????????
— Craig Birch (@Icyvilla) December 26, 2018
Nyland’s place in the side is uncertain, however, with Dean Smith signing Villa’s most expensive goalkeeper in Lovre Kalinic earlier in December. The Croatian international won’t be available to play until January and Nyland has made the most of what few opportunities he may have left between the sticks.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
‘Quality performance’, ‘best player’ – some fans praise Aston Villa man after Swansea win
