Aston Villa 'open talks with Jed Steer over new deal'

Aston Villa have reportedly begun talks with goalkeeper Jed Steer over a new long-term deal.

The 26-year-old was the hero in last month's playoff final, saving two penalties against Derby County to secure the Villans' return to the Premier League after a three-year absence.

The stopper has one year left on his current deal at Villa Park, but according to The Sun, negotiations have started about an extension with the hope of getting a deal done before the season starts.

Steer has been with Villa since 2013 after coming through the ranks at Norwich City but found game time hard to come by and was instead loaned out to the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town and Charlton Athletic.

Under Dean Smith, however, Steer was given a first-team chance and started every one of the club's final 16 games of the season ahead of Lovre Kalinic.