Aston Villa handed boost amid ‘Weird’ Emi Martinez developments
Dan Bardell believes Emi Martinez will hate being banned for Argentina despite it being a boost for Aston Villa.
The 32-year-old was banned for two matches after two incidents in two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia this month [BBC Sport].
A one-match ban was brandished after hitting a camera and the other for a celebration with the Copa America trophy which could be deemed inappropriate.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell finds it strange for Dibu to pick up a ban but thinks it is of benefit to the Villans.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “It is a bit weird for him to get banned for two games, his celebration wasn’t too dissimilar to ones he has done before.
“I was surprised to see the ban and he’ll be gutted because he loves going away with Argentina and playing for his country.
“From a Villa perspective, it is a positive as he gets to have a holiday so he gets to recharge and spend time with his family.
“Even still, he’ll hate that he’s had to miss Argentina games because he loves playing for them.“
Aston Villa star Emi Martinez misses out on Argentina through ban
The goalkeeper is arguably the Villans’ most important player so to have him at full fitness after the international break will be a huge positive.
Martinez has kept clean sheets in back-to-back games at Villa Park after keeping just one in the seven other appearances he made.
It is a blow for the ‘World’s Number One’ to miss out on playing for his country, especially for the reasons that he has been banned.
Unai Emery will be keen for him to take this international break to rest and return to Premier League action against Fulham at 100 per cent.
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