Emi Martinez could be set for brutal Aston Villa axe in Arteta flashback
Aston Villa fell to a late defeat against Manchester City, and criticism has been directed at several players since.
Unai Emery’s side suffered a damaging blow in the race for a top-five spot as goals from Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes gave City a 2-1 win.
Villa were below par for a lot of the game, but the first goal came through a mistake by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who parried a weak shot into his own net.
This was one of several high-profile errors Martinez has made in recent months, and the time may have come for Emery to make a ruthless decision.
Should Emery replace Martinez for Aston Villa?
Martinez is a popular figure at Villa Park and has been a strong performer since he arrived from Arsenal in 2020.
The 32-year-old has made over 200 appearances for Villa, and has also won the World Cup with Argentina, with Martinez now one of the biggest names in his position.
| Stat | Emi Martinez |
| Appearances | 207 |
| Conceded | 253 |
| Clean sheets | 66 |
However, his form this season has been patchy at best, and he is not getting any younger. His mistake against City was another costly one, and Villa may not reach the Champions League as a result.
Martinez did win the last two Yashin Trophies and is still highly rated in the wider footballing world.
With this in mind, and clubs such as Barcelona all keen on a new goalkeeper, now could be the perfect time to make an unpopular sale.
Emery could follow Mikel Arteta path in replacing Martinez
Emery also managed Martinez at Arsenal before he was replaced with Mikel Arteta, but he could copy his successor in making a brutal decision over his goalkeepers.
Arteta replaced Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya to much surprise, with Ramsdale named in the PFA Team of the Year just before his brutal axing, but they have never looked back, with Raya performing superbly and Ramsdale suffering relegation with Southampton.
Villa could sell Martinez for a potentially substantial profit to a club abroad before he declines further, and proactively replace him with a younger option.
Although a lot of Villa fans may be upset to see him go, if they end up upgrading the position, Emery’s ruthlessness would be commended just as Arteta’s was over Ramsdale.
Younger goalkeepers such as Caoimhin Kelleher and Joan Garcia could all be on the move this summer, and Villa could benefit in the short and long term if they take the bold step of replacing Martinez before his value potentially drops if he is to continue making errors.