Emi Martinez to snub Tottenham and stay at Aston Villa after transfer news emerges from Argentina – BBC pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Aston Villa are seeing their chances of keeping Emi Martinez increase with the club currently sitting sixth in the Premier League, according to Alan Hutton.
Villa’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend saw them move up to sixth in the Premier League table, a position which would more than likely see them qualify for the Europa League next season if they stay there.
Martinez, 30, has been strongly linked with a move away from Villa Park this season after winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.
TyC Sports journalist Gaston Edul reported on 12 March that Tottenham are interested in signing the Argentina number one and would make an offer for him soon.
However, Hutton believes Martinez may opt to stay at Villa Park if continental football returns to B6 next season.
When asked by Villa News if he thinks qualification to Europe would see Martinez stay, Hutton said: “You would hope.
“I was at the Nottingham Forest game and the place was rocking.
“They’re unbeaten in their last seven and won their last four.
“They’re definitely going places under Unai Emery. All the players look comfortable in the positions they’re playing.
“If they do get European football and the manager gets the money to strengthen the squad, this is where they want to be. This is the process they’ve worked through to get this elite manager to get them into European places.
“They’ll want to kick on again from there so why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?
“The question Martinez needs to ask himself would be what team is it that’s interested in him? Is it a regular top-four finisher, a regular in the Champions League or a title contender?
“Where does he see himself? Because if it’s not at a team with the same ambition as Aston Villa, why leave?”
Martinez has kept 10 clean sheets in 28 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa this season and has conceded just twice in his last seven appearances.
In other Aston Villa news, the club has been told to seal the re-signing of an expensive player amid transfer news.