Aston Villa 'can't cope with more bad news' after two star player developments - expert

Aston Villa cannot afford to sell Emiliano Martinez for any less than £25million amid strong interest from Juventus this summer.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider finding a replacement would be rather expensive.

Martinez has been first choice at Villa Park over the last six seasons, amassing 257 appearances since joining from Arsenal in September 2020.

There are serious concerns that Unai Emery will need to replace him this summer, however, but that has become tricky due to the goalkeeper's price tag.

Despite still performing at the top level, and even lifting a World Cup title four years ago, the 33-year-old is unlikely to bring in anything over £10m.

The situation is just yet another problem for the Villans, who are now likely to be without Amadou Onana for up to 12 months after he sustained an ACL injury at the 2026 World Cup.

Aston Villa 'can't cope' with more negative news

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has explained that Villa are "boxed in" by the transfer news and injury blow, especially when it comes to the club's finances.

"The [Emi] Martinez situation that they talk about a lot, it's neither here nor there, unless they're get £25m for him," he said.

"It can't be the sort of £7m-£8m that's talked about from Juventus. In many ways, that causes an issue because they'd have to go out and buy a replacement goalkeeper.

"That can be much more expensive than whatever they receive for Martinez, who obviously is also a brilliant goalkeeper. So that would be the worry for Villa.

"They're boxed in to an extent, and they just couldn't really cope with another negative bit of news, like an injury to a key player."

Dean Henderson on the radar at Villa Park

Villa would, undoubtedly, need to find a replacement should Martinez make the move to Italy this summer, but that won't be easy at all.

Mick Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace's Dean Henderson could be an option for the Villans, but no move has yet been made.

Manchester City's James Trafford is also an option, and given his lack of minutes at the Etihad Stadium, it shouldn't be difficult to agree a deal.

Robin Risser of Lens and Japanese international Zion Suzuki are both on the radar, though the latter could make a move to Leeds United instead.