Credit: Imago

James Barker

Mon 13 April 2026 16:10, UK

Marco Bizot’s performance against Nottingham Forest showed why Aston Villa need a new backup goalkeeper next season.

The 35-year-old came into the starting lineup at The City Ground on Sunday after Emi Martinez withdrew from the side pre-game.

After the game, Unai Emery confirmed that Martinez had felt pain in his calf in the warm-up, and as such, was not risked.

That left Bizot to take his place, whilst youngster James Wright made the bench, as Villa played out a 1-1 draw.

However, whilst it was on short notice, the Forest game won’t have done much for Bizot’s chances of remaining at Villa Park beyond the summer.

How did Marco Bizot perform vs Nottingham Forest?

Bizot was sent off against Newcastle in his last appearance for Villa prior to Nottingham Forest, and many fans were predicting that he wouldn’t play again this season following that.

That was looking likely to be true before Sunday, but the Dutchman was handed an unexpected opportunity to win favour back with both Emery and the Villa faithful.

However, the performance that he put in against Forest will ensure that he reverts back to being a backup goalkeeper for the remainder of the season, so long as Martinez’s injury isn’t a serious one.

As per Sofascore, he prevented -0.47 goals against Forest, made four total saves with only one of those being from inside the box, as well as registering a pass success rate of 78 per cent.

He also recorded a 27 per cent long ball accuracy, gave possession away eight times, made one high claim and made just the one clearance respectively.

As for the goal he conceded, whilst it was a well-hit strike from Williams from just outside the box, Bizot was ultimately beaten on his near post.

That’s a cardinal sin for a goalkeeper at any level, and it’s one that Villa fans will be wondering whether Martinez would’ve done better with had he been between the sticks.

Villa need to move on from Bizot this summer

The backup goalkeeper position can often be perceived as an afterthought by fans when it comes to shopping list priorities, but Sunday proved that it’s a vital element of building a strong team.

You never know when you’re going to need your number two shot-stopper, and when Villa did so against Forest, Bizot simply didn’t deliver.

When it’s all said and done, the difference between a point and all three in that game could make all the difference in Villa’s Champions League race, and even if it doesn’t, it should still serve as an indication that this position needs addressing this summer.

Now 35 and no longer a long-term option, Villa have to consider getting younger at the backup goalkeeper position, or look to sign a more proven and reliable Premier League goalkeeper to serve as the number two.