Unai Emery to make ‘important’ Robin Olsen call at Aston Villa despite transfer update
Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen has “absolutely” confirmed his place in Unai Emery’s plans for the future with his performance against Chelsea, according to Alan Hutton.
The 34-year-old stopper was introduced at half-time in the Villans’ 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Villa Park on Saturday (27 April) and while he did concede both goals, he pulled off an excellent save to deny Cole Palmer a late winner.
Emery has previously suggested that he would be keen to add another goalkeeper to his squad in the transfer window to provide some greater competition with both Olsen and regular number-one Emi Martinez [Birmingham Live, 1 January].
But with his display against the Blues last time out, Hutton believes Emery has a backup keeper he “can rely on” and admits that he expects Olsen to continue in that role after the summer transfer window.
“Absolutely, I think a number two that you can rely on is so important,” Hutton told Villa News.
“It must be very difficult for teams to get somebody who is willing to sit and play second fiddle to a number one knowing that they’re going to probably only get called on a couple of times a year in cup games.
“I think Olsen gives you that. There’s not a huge amount of fear where you think ‘Oh no he’s playing,’ certain teams might have that with their second choices.
“I don’t think it works when you have two number ones, we’ve seen it at Arsenal with Ramsdale, it just doesn’t quite work. Having somebody you can call on who is reliable is ideal. You need somebody like that.
“Losing Martinez like that is a huge blow. For him to go off with a hamstring injury is not ideal heading into the end of the season with some of the big games coming up, but I think you can rely on Olsen until the end of the season if need be.”
Will Emi Martinez leave Aston Villa in the summer transfer window amid Robin Olsen update?
Olsen is by no means the perfect keeper and most Villa supporters will feel a little nervous when they see the Swede in the Villans’ starting lineup, but he has shown in recent weeks that he can stand up and perform when he’s required.
When he is fit and available, Martinez will start week in and week out at Villa Park and that will only change if he sold for big money this summer. Until then, Olsen will have to settle for his role as the back-up stopper.
With PSR concerns emerging ahead of the summer and some big players already linked with moves to Villa, Emery won’t want to spend unnecessary money on goalkeepers if he can avoid it. For now, at least, Olsen appears to be safe.
In other Aston Villa news, Clement Lenglet has been tipped to make his move to Villa Park permanent despite new developments
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