Sam Johnstone hails Aston Villa team-mates after reaching clean sheet milestone

Johnstone’s clean sheet in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Ipswich was his 20th of a campaign in which the 24-year-old has been among Villa’s standout performers.

Only Wolves keeper John Ruddy, with 23, has registered more shut-outs than Johnstone in the Championship.

But while expressing obvious pride in his record, the Manchester United loanee insisted a large portion of the credit must go to the team and goalkeeping coach Walsh.

He said: “It is great to keep clean sheets, though I would always take three points over a clean sheet any day.

“But It is not just me, it is the lads who have put their bodies on the line to stop the ball.

“It is something I’m proud of. It is nice to repay Walshy, the goalie coach, who works hard with us every day.”

Johnstone felt Saturday’s win again demonstrated the depth of squad available to boss Steve Bruce.

Victory was achieved despite the boss choosing to rest wing duo Albert Adomah and Robert Snodgrass, while Mile Jedinak once more deputised for skipper John Terry in the heart of defence.

“Mile has done very, very well,” said Johnstone. “He’s a midfielder but falls into centre-back and does a really good job. We have had injuries over the season.

“The depth in the squad has helped. It is something we are all confident about, that someone can fill in and do a good job. Everyone is encouraging everyone.

“It makes the manager’s job difficult but he deals with it well. The lads take it well.

“You look at the positions people have played. Hutts (Alan Hutton) has played right-back, left-back. Mile has played centre-back and in midfield.

“There are other people to fill in whenever we have to shuffle around. It is such a good group.

“Everyone cracks on and does their job. It’s a very experienced team. People will be upset when they don’t play, because everyone wants to. But they get on with it, work hard all week and try to get back in.”