Aston Villa could reject Emiliano Martinez offer on one condition after source’s reveal – expert
Alan Hutton has suggested Emiliano Martinez could stay at Aston Villa next season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Villa right-back said if the side can push up the league and finish in the top ten, Martinez could be convinced to stay.
On 17 February, Football Insider revealed that Unai Emery’s side are willing to listen to offers for the 30-year-old in the summer, despite his importance to the club.
But, the Argentinian may have made Emery’s decision a little easier after the Villans’ 4-2 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday (18 February).
As shown on BT Sport (18 February), Martinez scored a bizarre own goal after Jorginho’s long range strike ricocheted off the bar and then the back of his head and into the net.
The Villa keeper also joined his teammates in the Arsenal box for a corner in the final minutes of stoppage time which allowed Gabriel Martinelli to score into an open goal when the Gunners won possession from the Villa corner.
When asked if Martinez is likely to stay at Villa beyond this season, Hutton told Football Insider: “I hope so.
“He is an outstanding goalkeeper. He is a World Cup winner, his confidence will be through the roof. He is a main player within that squad.
“But I understand that with that comes other teams sniffing about him. It is understandable.
“I hope he knows the way that the club is moving forward with the new manager, the type of player he is bringing in will push them up the league.
“I think if they get into that top ten and start pushing forward and you see their identity then he might want to stay. But, ultimately money talks.
“If a bid comes in from a big football team then they will obviously listen to it and he might want to leave.“
In other news, according to sources, Aston Villa set aside funds for marquee signing with two top targets named