Gabby Agbonlahor shares what will make Aston Villa fans forget all about Emi Martinez transfer saga
Emi Martinez has tarnished his reputation thanks to his summer antics at Aston Villa.
Martinez tried to force a move to Manchester United, and Unai Emery elected not to select him in his squad against Crystal Palace.
The Argentine didn’t end up securing a move to the Red Devils, and supporters will see the repercussions he faces in the coming weeks.
Aston Villa are happy to keep Martinez, after he refused a move to Galatasaray, but his route back into Emery’s side appears a long one.
Gabby Agbonlahor believes Emi Martinez will be welcomed back
Martinez has confused things in goal. It had been assumed that, should he have joined Man United, Aston Villa would move for Senne Lammens.
Lammens ultimately joined Ruben Amorim’s side, with Martinez forced to stay.
It will likely take time for the Argentine to be reintegrated with the squad, but Marco Bizot’s poor performance against Crystal Palace may speed up the process.
- Martinez has kept 69 clean sheets during his five years at Aston Villa
- He has conceded just 256 goals in 211 appearances for Villa
- The Argentine turned 33 in awkward circumstances on 2 September
Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor discussed the ongoing situation, saying that fans could forgive him much quicker than expected.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on 2 September, he said: “I think they will because of what he’s done for the club.
“He’s an outstanding keeper, some of the saves he’s made, best goalkeeper in the world for three seasons.
“But there will be some fans who sit there and say you sat at Bodymoor Heath waiting for the call to come, and the call didn’t come.
“It makes you think, why were you desperate to join Manchester United? A team that’s not even playing European football. But you know what footballs like, one decent save and it’s all forgotten.”
- Read more: What will happen next with Emi Martinez at Aston Villa after failed Manchester United move
When can Emi Martinez start his next game?
Martinez will now head off on international duty with Argentina, where he is likely to start their World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador at the start of September.
Aston Villa’s first game when he returns will be against Everton, but Martinez will likely be nowhere near the squad, given that it is just four days after the break.
Despite Bizot’s poor showing against Crystal Palace, Emery will likely give him plenty of opportunities to prove that he is capable of performing at the top level.
| Aston Villa | Club | Crystal Palace |
| 1.13 | Expected goals | 2.67 |
| 4 | Shots on target | 4 |
| 1 | Saves | 4 |
| 531 | Passes | 386 |
Martinez will have to train hard and regain Emery’s trust if he wants to pave his way back into the side, with Bizot’s form to play a massive part too.
Should Martinez’s Dutch counterpart be at fault for any goals conceded against Everton, the former Arsenal keeper could return against Sunderland on 21 September.
If not, he has the perfect opportunity to stake his claim when Villa play Bologna in the Europa League on 25 September.
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