Socceroos goalkeeper Joe Gauci raring for Premier League move after signing for Aston Villa
- Australian goalkeeper Joe Gauci is keen to feature for Aston Villa
- Gauci ultimately wants to push for Mat Ryan’s position
- Who is the biggest winner of the January transfer window? It all starts Transferweek podcast
Joe Gauci can look to his new Aston Villa teammate Emiliano Martinez for inspiration as he begins his Premier League career with one eye on taking over from Mat Ryan as Socceroos number 1.
The 23-year-old Gauci is the only Socceroo in the Premier League and signed for Villa from Adelaide United during the transfer window.
After Australia were knocked out of the Asian Cup, Gauci – who did not appear at the tournament – flew out of Doha in the early hours of Saturday.
He will have two days back in Adelaide to wrap up his life before heading to Birmingham.
However, Gauci’s eyes lit up at the thought of working with Martinez.
Joe Gauci can’t wait to play for Aston Villa in the Premier League, even if he has to bide his time
Gauci is the only Socceroo in the Premier League and signed for Villa from Adelaide United during the transfer window
The 31-year-old went from succeeding as Arsenal’s reserve goalkeeper to Aston Villa’s star player and then winning the Golden Glove in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph.
“It’s going to be something really special to have someone with that experience (next to me),” Gauci said.
“He had to wait for his chance to be No. 1, but he grabbed it with both hands and… his last 24 months have been phenomenal.
“Everything he has done he has played at a very high level, both for club and country.
“So to see how he goes about day to day and what the results are on and off the park is going to be amazing.
‘At the end of the day it’s the Premier League and these are world-class players. The things they do every day will be amazing to see.
‘I really want to listen and learn.’
Villa are fourth in the Premier League and still play in the UEFA Conference League and FA Cup.
Gauci will play alongside Villa’s World Cup Gold Glove winner Emiliano Martinez
Gauci indicated he would not be loaned out but would develop at Villa, working alongside Martinez and Swedish veteran Robin Olsen as he waits for his breakthrough.
“Playing games is extremely important, but this is also an opportunity to improve my career and develop myself as a goalkeeper and take that to the next level,” he said.
Gauci grew up idolizing former Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal EPL goalkeeper Ryan, who has held the national No. 1 jersey for a decade.
Now the 194cm tall South Australian, with two caps to his name, takes Ryan’s place.
“Maty has been Australia’s No. 1 for a long time, but of course I push,” Gauci said.
‘I want to push, I want to play, I want to play games.
“I had a taste of it last March in Ecuador and then the match in Bahrain in the run-up to (the Asian Cup).
“Every chance I get to put on the shirt is a great honor.
‘Of course I want to push Maty, and he wants me to push him too. Ultimately, there is healthy competition.
‘I’m waiting for the opportunity, but it’s mainly about what I do at club level.
“That’s what’s going to get me there.”
