(Credit: Imago)

Emi Martinez to get Aston Villa 'out of jail' after Manchester United offer

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

Published on:

24 Jul 2025, 1:30 pm

Aston Villa have a collective of top players who have all been linked with a Villa Park exit this summer.

There has been speculation around Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Martinez ahead of the Premier League season.

While Rogers is likely to remain in the West Midlands, there is a feeling that Watkins and Martinez could depart.

Indeed, the Argentine has been the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia and Manchester United.

Rogers has been linked with some of England's top clubs (Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa claim made amid Martinez speculation

Manchester United reportedly made a loan offer to sign Martinez, which has not been welcomed.

As a result, Villa could turn their back on a potential deal with United as they seemingly want £40million for the World Cup winner.

The 32-year-old has played a pivotal role for the Villans since signing from Arsenal in the summer of 2020.

Last season, Martinez made 37 appearances, keeping eight clean sheets as the Villans had to settle for a Europa League spot.

Emi Martinez's 2024/25 Premier League statistics	Total
Appearances	37
Clean sheets	8
Goals conceded per game	1.2
Penalties saved	1/2
Saves per game	2.7 (69%)
Goals prevented	1.16

Martinez made a positive impact again last term (Sofascore)

Ironically, the Argentine was sent off against United during the final game of the season as Villa fell to a 2-0 defeat in Manchester.

While the goalkeeper could be set to move to Old Trafford this summer, Paul Hawksbee had some words of warning for his current employer.

Speaking live on talkSPORT (24 July, 03:14 pm), he said: "Weakens Villa though, doesn't it?

"I mean, if you're a Villa fan, he is a bit of a talisman, isn't he? How many times have we seen him get them out of jail in recent years?"

Martinez hard to replace at Villa Park

Although the shot-stopper appeared to wave a tearful goodbye during the West Midlands club's final home game of the season, he is still a Villa player.

Over the years, the Argentina international has produced some world-class moments, and he would be missed if he departed.

Furthermore, it is no coincidence that the 32-year-old has played a significant part in the Villans' best seasons in considerable time.

Of course, Unai Emery now has Marco Bizot within his goalkeeping ranks, but he has surely been signed as backup.

Whatever happens, developments around Martinez will be followed closely, but he would be missed at Villa Park.

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Emi Martinez