Socceroo Gauci loaned by Villa in quest for game time

Joe Gauci has signed on loan for third-tier English club Barnsley from Premier League Aston Villa as he seeks the playing time which he hopes will help make him the Socceroos' undisputed No.1 goalkeeper.

Gauci, who's battling with Maty Ryan for the Australia gloves, has hardly had a look-in during his year at Villa where he's been the understudy to the world's top keeper, Argentinian Emiliano Martinez.

Gauci broke the A-League Men's outbound transfer record when Villa bought him from Adelaide United for a reported $2.5 million last February.

Yet after just two appearances for the former European champs in the League Cup, he's now after more minutes of action with a lower league club as he tries to nail down the Socceroos' spot in his duel with the experienced Ryan.

Australia skipper Ryan, who got the nod over Gauci as goalie for the last World Cup qualifier in Bahrain in November, has also just made a move from Roma to French Ligue 1 club Lens in his own quest for regular playing time.

He made his debut at the weekend, keeping a clean sheet as Lens beat Angers 1-0, noting that "when you don't play consistently, it really hurts."

Gauci obviously believes the same, and told the Barnsley club website: "It's fantastic to be here, something I'm really excited for.

"It's a brilliant opportunity for myself to come and get some experience in English football and as well be here to help the club gain promotion and get back in the (division two) Championship."

Barnsley coach Darrell Clarke confirmed on Thursday that Gauci had been brought in to be the No.1 keeper ahead of incumbent Ben Killip, who'd been a stand-in after another loan keeper Gaga Slonina returned to parent club Chelsea this month.

"Ben has done okay and made some good saves the other night, but my gut tells me that getting someone in like Joe is going to push us further forward and finish off the 13, 14 weeks of the regular season to kick us on in that department," Clarke told the Yorkshire Post.

"He's a good size, presence and good at catching and sweeping up and kicking. The calibre of the player is obviously very, very good."

Mladen Sormaz, Barnsley's sporting director, added: "We're happy to recruit a goalkeeper of Joe's quality to the Club. His pedigree speaks for itself."

Barnsley are ninth in League One, two points outside the play-offs.