Unai Emery handed Emi Martinez concern as Aston Villa injury update emerges v Manchester United
Aston Villa recorded a historical Champions League victory with a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday (2 October).
With all signs pointing towards a 0-0 draw between the two sides at Villa Park, Unai Emery sent on Jhon Duran to save the day, lobbing Manuel Neuer from the best part of 30 yards.
While the moment sent Villa Park into pandemonium, striking with 10 minutes remaining despite all of Bayern’s dominance, Emiliano Martinez was the real hero as the Villans sealed all three points.
The 32-year-old made seven saves against the Bundesliga giants, all of them crucial, earning the Man of the Match award with a nine out of 10 rating, as per FotMob.
However, Chris Sutton has mooted a potential injury for the Argentine ahead of Villa’s Premier League clash against Manchester United.
Speaking via the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast [3 October], he said: “Emiliano Martinez, I’m a little bit worried about his hamstring because he was holding that towards the end of the game on one or two occasions.”
Emiliano Martinez injury concern emerges ahead of Aston Villa v Manchester United
Losing his in-form shot-stopper, especially after a match-winning display in the Champions League on Wednesday night, would be a massive blow for the Villans.
While Martinez could only record a 63 per cent passing accuracy, mainly due to Bayern’s dominance on the ball, he performed when it mattered most against the likes of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala [FotMob].
The goalkeeper also took 52 touches, made 10 recoveries and two important high claims as Villa played out a memorable Champions League night under the floodlights.
Many fans consider him one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, especially after winning the World Cup with Argentina, and Emery will not want to be without him for the Man United clash.
He will also be keen to get revenge following the last meeting with the Red Devils. Martinez’s passing was far more accurate, with 91 per cent [FotMob], but goals from Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay saw all three points stolen from Villa Park.
Martinez feeling his hamstring will likely have just been a ploy to run the clock down, though fans will be holding their breath until the lineups are announced on Sunday 6 October.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery has an answer to a Villa blow in a 100% star, Gabby Agbonlahor dubs him “outstanding”.
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