Joe Gauci, the Australian goalkeeper, is expected to join Aston Villa from Adelaide United before the January transfer window closes on Thursday. The 23-year-old is set to sign a long-term contract that will keep him at Villa Park until 2028. Gauci, who hails from Adelaide, played for Melbourne City before returning to his hometown in 2020. He made 30 appearances for United last season and was named in the A-League Team of the Season. Known as the ‘Great Wall of Gauci’, he has also represented Australia at international level.
Despite making 11 league appearances this season, Gauci has attracted the attention of Villa, who have been looking for additional cover for their first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Unai Emery also has Robin Olsen at his disposal. Villa have been relatively quiet in the transfer market, with Kosta Nedeljkovic being their only other long-term signing from Red Star Belgrade. However, they are also interested in recruiting Morgan Rogers from Middlesbrough before the deadline. Viljami Sinisalo and Filip Marschall, two of Villa’s goalkeepers, have been loaned out to EFL clubs at various points this season.
