Earlier this week, the club revealed their released and retained list with some notable players like John Terry, Gabby Agbonlahor and Chris Samba among the names being let go.
However, there was one other name who was surprisingly not retained. The Under 23 goalkeeper Viktor Johansson is highly rated by those who have seen him play.
Some Fans on Twitter think we shouldn’t have let the Swedish Under 19 international leave:
I think we”ll live to regret letting him go. A very good prospect.
— SBenno (@Siben7Simon) 13 June 2018
Not only is he a good keeper, he’s also a top lad! Villas loss for sure!
— Sani K (@Kubinja) 13 June 2018
Not seen enough of Steer but I really liked the look of Johansson so was disappointed to see he’d been released. Sure he’ll be snapped up very quickly.
— Ed Connaughton (@EdConnaughton) 13 June 2018
Nightmare…agree looks a good goalkeeper to me.
— paul fleming (@pbflembo) 14 June 2018
Good luck Victor.
— MICHELE ASTBURY (@mjastbury) 13 June 2018
Good luck!
— Scott Ward (@scottward100) 13 June 2018
I think it is down to cost cutting
— AVFC U23 (@AVFCU23) 13 June 2018
Verdict:
It’s a difficult situation. Cost cutting means that some players will be let go when in normal circumstances they would have been given new deals.
With Matija Sarkic retained and Jed Steer having another year left on his contract, Viktor’s path to the first-team is currently blocked. He should have perhaps been given contract extension and sent out on loan, but with finances as they are, that was never that likely.
It seems the club are not planning much for the long-term at the moment.
