Aston Villa: Pepe Reina reacts as team avoids relegation
Pepe Reina has confirmed that he is set to return to AC Milan despite playing his part in Aston Villa's escape from the drop. The former Liverpool goalkeeper arrived in the Midlands in January following a long-term injury to Tom Heaton.
Reina was not even first choice following the restart with Dean Smith handing Orjan Nyland the chance to step up between the sticks.
It was a decision he would soon live to regret after the Norwegian nearly cost them on several occasions including in the first game back against Sheffield United.
Luckily, goal-line technology appeared to be switched off for the first half as the Blades had the ball over the line.
Reina has brought a calm head between the sticks, despite being prone to the odd error along the way.
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He told BT Sport: "No, I'm not hanging up the gloves!
"I still have a good two years of my career left I think, I will try now.
"I will go back to Milan because I have one more year there but in football, one day you can say one thing and the following week you're in some other place."
Reina hailed the spirit of the Villa dressing room for never giving up in the battle for survival.
Aston Villa secured Premier League safety by the skin of their teeth (Image: GETTY)
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He added: "It's been hard, it's been a hard and long season with the lockdown.
"We just never gave up and when it seemed impossible two weeks ago, we still believed.
"That togetherness, belief, commitment and resilience made us for all the fuss."
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