Keane expects imminent exit for ‘annoying’ Aston Villa ace after scenes v Spurs
Roy Keane is adamant that one Aston Villa player could be on his way out of Villa Park after what he saw following the win against Tottenham.
Villa were 2-0 winners against Spurs on Friday (16 May) to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
It was Villa’s final home game of a long and gruelling campaign, with supporters staying behind after the match to thank the players for their efforts.
For one player, though, it appeared to be a final farewell.
Roy Keane addresses emotional Emi Martinez moment
Aston Villa passed the first of two defining tests as they convincingly defeated Spurs at Villa Park.
The result means that Unai Emery’s side sit fifth and level on points with Newcastle United and Chelsea.
Villa also overtook rivals Manchester City with the win and now have a one-point cushion on the former Premier League champions.
However, Newcastle and City both have games in hand, meaning the West Midlands club could drop out of the Champions League positions if results go against them.
| Position | Club | Played | Points |
| 1st | Liverpool | 36 | 83 |
| 2nd | Arsenal | 36 | 68 |
| 3rd | Newcastle | 36 | 66 |
| 4th | Chelsea | 37 | 66 |
| 5th | Aston Villa | 37 | 66 |
| 6th | Man City | 36 | 65 |
Their final test is away against Manchester United, and Villa will head into that game as an overwhelming favourite.
Last night was the Villans’ final home match of the season, and Martinez was spotted tearing up as he waved goodbye to supporters.
His stint at Villa Park has been exceptional, but scenes after their 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur suggest he has just one more game left for the West Midlands club.
In what appeared to be an emotional farewell for the goalkeeper, Roy Keane addressed the moment live on Sky Sports (16 May).
He said: “Yeah, been a good character. Obviously, some people like him.
“He can obviously be annoying sometimes with his antics, but he’s been a great signing for them.
“And, he will be a big loss to them because it does look like he is saying his final goodbyes.”
Martinez would be huge loss for Villa
Given Martinez’s impact at Villa, but also on the world stage, he is a player who seems almost irreplaceable.
The Argentinian number one has come a long way from his Arsenal days, where he looked destined always to be a number two.
His commanding presence and cheeky nature have made him a firm favourite at Villa Park, and he will be missed if he is to leave.
During his time in the West Midlands, he has notched over 200 appearances and played a significant part in them reaching the Champions League.
His impact also stretched to the World Stage, where he helped Argentina lift their first World Cup in 36 years.
It would be impossible to find another Martinez, and his exit will hurt Aston Villa supporters.