Aston Villa goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo is set to depart Villa Park on loan again this season with Exeter City the likely destination.
MTV Urheilu state that the 21-year-old has already signed a one-year loan agreement with the Grecians, but that the deal will not be made official until after Villa’s pre-season encounter with Walsall on Saturday.
Sinisalo began the last campaign on loan with Burton Albion, who alongside Exeter are in League One, but returned to the Villans quite promptly after making just eight appearances for the Brewers in which he conceded 14 goals and kept two clean sheets.
The Finnish youngster is yet to make an appearance for the Villa first team, but appeared on the bench 15 times in the Premier League under Unai Emery last season alongside second choice goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
Remarkably, the shot stopper received a call up to the Finland senior squad whilst on loan at Burton last season. He made his debut in a friendly against Estonia, but was unfortunately on the losing side as he played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 defeat.
Should Sinisalo link up with Exeter, it could leave a goalkeeper conundrum for Emery to navigate this summer.
Often opting to have two goalies on the bench, the Villa boss would have to either promote a goalkeeper from the U21s, such as Oliwier Zych or Filip Marschall, or delve into the transfer market for a viable third choice.
Is this a good move for Sinisalo?
Exeter lost their first choice goalkeeper Jamal Blackman this summer after his contract expired and he subsequently joined Burton. The Grecians’ current options between the sticks are 18-year-old Harry Lee and last season’s back-up Gary Woods, so Sinisalo would be a strong first choice candidate in Devon.
Just a few months away from turning 22, it is now crucial for the Villa youngster to be getting regular playing time underneath his belt. This move could work out nicely for all parties.
