Decision made! Aston Villa manager makes a big call on the future of Emi Martínez

Unai Emery has broken his silence on the status of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game at Everton.

Villa played without Martínez in their last game against Crystal Palace on the day before transfer deadline day, when the goalkeeper failed to secure a move to Manchester United. He immediately headed off on international duty and the question of whether he would be immediately reintegrated has been open ever since.

With no replacement brought in and no move in the offing to Turkey or Saudi Arabia, two of the handful of leagues whose transfer windows are still open, the likelihood has been that Martínez would find his way back into the Villa side sooner or later.

The international break inevitably brought additional input from Martínez’s brother and Lionel Scaloni, his international manager with Argentina, but the thoughts of his club manager were the most anticipated of all.

Now the dust has settled on an unsatisfactory conclusion to the transfer saga, Emery’s comments on the matter suggest any rifts have been healed and that we should expect business as usual at Everton on Saturday.

Speaking to the press before Villa’s first visit to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, Emery said:

“Everything happened with the players we have. Leaving, staying. In some moments, players were close to leaving, or even, players were close to joining us. Everything happened. For me, it’s normal. I understand it completely.

“Staying here for Emi Martínez is good news for us. I’m so, so happy. For me, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world. We have the best goalkeeper in the world.

‘Happy again’

“His commitment is massive. He has a huge commitment to do everything and try to send a good message, always training to get his best. Always respecting Aston Villa, and it’s not changing.”

While it’s clear that the goalkeeper had and perhaps still has some bridges to mend, those aren’t the words of a manager who doesn’t intend to play him.

If Emery believes that Martínez is fully committed, Martínez will play. If Emery doesn’t believe Martínez is fully committed, he would say he did unless he is going to play. It seems the matter has been dealt with.

“Some circumstances happen in football. But now everybody is in the squad,” said Emery. “Everyone is happy. Today we had very good energy in the training session. Emiliano is happy again and knows his challenge is with Aston Villa, with his national team.”

Martínez’s claim to be the best goalkeeper in the world is spurious but he made history by winning the Yashin Trophy back to back, an accolade that backs up his confidence in his abilities.

When Martínez returns to the field for Villa, he’ll be looking to add to his 70 clean sheets for the club and to deliver the silverware he so craves with the club and has achieved at international level, winning the World Cup in 2022 as well as being a two-time Copa America champion.

Winning a trophy with Villa would go a long way to repairing his relationship with any supporters who feel aggrieved by his conduct last week and allow him to depart on a better note next summer.

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