Agbonlahor reacts instantly to Emi Martinez exit news at Aston Villa
Emi Martinez has been a top performer for Aston Villa over the years, but the goalkeeper may now leave in the summer.
Aston Villa signed Martinez from Arsenal in 2020, and he eventually hit the best period of his career as he excelled for his club and won the World Cup and Copa America with Argentina.
However, Martinez has endured a tough spell of form, which has seen him make several errors in huge games as Villa crashed out of Europe, the FA Cup and the race for a top-five spot.
The 32-year-old has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and there is a chance that he leaves Villa Park this summer.
Martinez and Leon Bailey linked with Saudi Arabia
Martinez and winger Leon Bailey have both been linked with moves to Saudi Pro League clubs, and journalist Ben Jacobs has now shared an update on the interest in the Villa pair.
“Emi Martinez is perhaps the most interesting of the two,” Jacobs told talkSPORT (1 May, 6.53am).
“There is concrete interest from Saudi Arabia in both. With Martinez, there are a few clubs interested. I think he’s perhaps more inclined to stay at Villa, but money may talk as with other Saudi deals.
| Emi Martinez stats for the 2024/25 campaign | |
| Appearances | 49 |
| Clean sheets | 12 |
| Goals conceded | 61 |
“You have Al-Hilal, who will be in the market for a new goalkeeper, simply because of the age of Yassine Bono. Neom FC and Al-Qadisiyah are also both looking for new shot-stoppers.
“Bailey might go for it. Martinez might try and do another season at Villa.”
Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor then gave his instant verdict on the possible exit of Martinez, stating that he would rather lose Bailey than the goalkeeper.
“I think Bailey’s the one for me… if you gave me a player to choose out of the Aston Villa squad to sell, it would be him. You may get 40 or 50 million [pounds] for him,” Agbonlahor stated in response to Jacobs.
Villa could benefit from Martinez sale
Despite his popularity with the Villa fanbase, Aston Villa may be better off selling Martinez this summer while his value is high.
Should he continue to make errors, his value will drop, and he would also become a liability for Unai Emery.
At 32, Martinez may have already hit his peak, and Villa could be proactive rather than reactive in finding his replacement.
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia could be available this summer, and the Spaniard could be the ideal long-term replacement for Martinez between the posts, with Villa potentially even making a profit overall.