Villa completed the signing of Italian goalkeeper Gollini on Friday.

Aston Villa have completed their second signing of the summer by sealing a £4 million move for Hellas Verona goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

Villa had already brought in Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick this summer, and they have now strengthened their goalkeeping options by adding 21-year-old Gollini to their ranks.

The deal had been gathering pace since reports first broke last week, and the player himself all but confirmed the move on Thursday when he discussed his motivations behind making the switch.

Now he has been confirmed as a Villa player and after impressing for relegated Verona in Serie A last season he is expected to challenge strongly for the club’s number one spot in the Championship this term.

Whilst Villa fans were pleased to welcome a highly-rated young goalkeeper to Villa Park, many seemed just as chuffed with the idea that the club may now look to sell current number one Brad Guzan.



Guzan’s career at Villa has been something of a curiosity; the American has been at the club for eight years but made just eight league appearances across the first four of those before being released.

However, he was re-signed by the club a month later following the appointment of Paul Lambert and has been the first-choice goalkeeper ever since, until being dropped in favour of Mark Bunn after a run of poor form last season.

The previously popular 31-year-old has increasingly become the target of frustration and anger from supporters due to his struggles for form and a growing tendency to make high-profile mistakes, and it appears that many Villa fans are hoping that Gollini’s arrival will spell the end of Guzan’s time at Villa.

This content could not be loaded Gollini in hopefully Guzan out pretty quick #avfc — Lee jones (@Stix1874) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded Thanks for everything Guzan #avfc pic.twitter.com/Wl9i2JOdfO — Jamie (@Jaydogg_3001) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded Peace out, Guzan. You weren’t going to be good enough for the Championship. https://t.co/kGbtak0iup — Paul Theiss (@PaulTheiss) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded #cheerioBrad — Foxy (@FoxyN77) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded @piergollo please be better than Guzan — Andrew Stone (@andrewstone85) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded Villa have finally signed a keeper to replace Brad Guzan… https://t.co/1u5lQIApbq — Dan Todd (@dantodd91) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded Great news on signing a keeper.Hopefully spells the end of Guzan #avfc — DOMINIC HUNT (@domhunt73) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded @piergollo please be better than Guzan — Andrew Stone (@andrewstone85) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded No more Brad Guzan. — Maradona_AVFC10 (@Maradona_AVFC10) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded Quite literally cannot be worse than Brad Guzan. https://t.co/2bKP63OI57 — Ross Matthewman (@RossMatthewman7) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded Today is a historical day for Villa fans, signing Gollini means no more Guzan! (We hope) #AVFC — Dan Matthews (C) (@DanMatthewsAV) July 8, 2016

This content could not be loaded Who can we con into taking Guzan off our hands now? #avfc — Scott (@CaptainScott87) July 8, 2016

In other news, Report: Leicester refuse to pay over £20m for target, Newcastle only want loan