Mark Bunn is likely to leave Aston Villa when the season comes to a close, with his contract having just months left to run and Dean Smith having ousted him from the matchday squad. Bunn has fallen behind Jed Steer in the pecking order and has made just one appearance in all competitions this season – against Preston North End on October 2.
Smith has Lovre Kalinic and Orjan Nyland as his first and second choice goalkeepers respectively. Steer was recalled from his loan spell at Charlton Athletic to be backup to Kalinic after Nyland suffered a season-ended injury. He might be retained past the summer, however, as Smith will need a third-choice between the sticks.
The 26-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign, but Villa would be forced to shop for a replacement in the transfer market if they didn’t keep Steer. He could have many years of service ahead of him and has made two Championship appearances since his recall in December 31, 2018.
Steer has never managed to hold down a starting place since joining Villa from Norwich City in 2013, making a total of 10 appearances in all competitions, but he might not be let go over the summer if Bunn leaves as expected.
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