Erling Haaland's supply is what England need to stop on Saturday night, but it is Orjan Nyland who stands in their way of progressing to the World Cup semi-finals. Up and down the West Midlands, there would have been collective disbelief at what the Norway goalkeeper was producing against Brazil, saving a penalty and making several outstanding stops.
Nyland's Aston Villa Career: A Mixed Bag
The former Aston Villa goalkeeper is best known for his role in the Hawkeye controversy when Premier League football returned after the Covid-19 break. In truth, he endured more disappointing moments than impressive ones during his time at Villa. A crucial penalty save at Swansea City on Boxing Day and his display against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final stand out for Villa supporters, but few will admit to following Nyland's career since the mutual termination of his contract in October 2020.
And even fewer would have expected the 35-year-old to play such a pivotal role in dumping Brazil out of the World Cup at the round-of-16 stage. Nyland saved Bruno Guimaraes' penalty in the 14th minute, one of four saves he made on the night, preventing 0.76 expected goals (xG). It was probably the proudest moment of his career, and England will hope it stays that way.
Shared History with England Players
Villa's Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa both shared a dressing room with Nyland, although the latter did so for just over a year and the striker for only a matter of weeks. The former IL Hødd and Molde FK goalkeeper became Villa's third signing of the summer 2018 transfer window, arriving a week after Andre Moreira joined on loan from Atletico Madrid and a day before John McGinn completed his move from Hibernian.
Nyland went on to make 36 appearances in all competitions for Villa, including the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley, before leaving in October 2020. His display against Leicester in the semi-final was comfortably his finest in a Villa shirt and perhaps one of the best performances of his career, alongside what he produced against Brazil. Dean Smith's side needed a string of saves from the Norwegian, including a stunning one-handed stop to tip Youri Tielemans' effort onto the crossbar in the 34th minute.
Dean Smith's Praise and Injury Setbacks
"We were indebted to Orjan Nyland, who made three wonderful saves – two down low and then one onto the crossbar, which was really top drawer. He has certainly given me a conundrum, but they're the ones I want," said Smith. "He snapped his Achilles in the Championship last year. Then Jed Steer came in and did really well, and I brought in Tom Heaton, so Nyland had to bide his time. Then unfortunately he came up against a very good Man City team and they scored six goals. Then Pepe came in and did well."
Indeed, it was a ruptured Achilles tendon that brought Nyland's first season at the club to a premature end. After Lovre Kalinic's brief spell in the side, the injury opened the door for Jed Steer to write his name into Villa folklore. Following promotion, Tom Heaton's arrival prevented Nyland from reclaiming the No.1 spot after his recovery, before Pepe Reina was brought in to cover for Heaton following his own long-term injury.
Nyland's Gratitude and New Challenge
Following his departure from Villa four years ago, Nyland said: "I would like to thank Aston Villa for fulfilling my boyhood dream of playing in the Premier League. Together we have shared great memories that I will remember for the rest of my life, helping the club back to where it belongs, staying up and reaching a cup final at Wembley."
Now, after the game of his life against Brazil, Nyland's next task is to upset England and prove a point to those Villa fans who, frankly, never saw this remarkable revival coming.
