Emi Martinez left at home as Aston Villa squad jets out to Turkey without him
Emi Martinez will not feature for Aston Villa as part of their clash with Fenerbahce on Thursday night.
The Villans are pushing to secure themselves a direct place in the last 16 of the Europa League, but they will have to embark on the next stage of their continental journey without their number one goalkeeper.
Martinez’s future at Aston Villa has been under heavy scrutiny in recent months after he pushed to leave and join Manchester United in the summer, and he is now set to be absent from the matchday squad once again.
The Argentine has been a key part of the success enjoyed by Unai Emery’s men once again this term, but they will now have to live without him in their latest midweek assignment.
Emi Martinez left at home by Unai Emery
Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider in November that he expected Martinez to leave Villa in January, given the way that he angled for a move last summer.
The experienced gloveman has been back to his best in recent weeks, and has regained his place in the starting XI, playing 18 of his team’s opening 22 Premier League games.
Marco Bizot began as the Villans’ starting ‘keeper in their Europa League campaign, but he has quickly been usurped by the former World Cup winner across the last few European games.
However, it will surely be Bizot who is between the posts for Aston Villa in Turkey on Thursday night, as Martinez hasn’t travelled with the rest of the squad, according to journalist John Townley via his X account.
Emery and his team jetted off to Istanbul for the fixture on Wednesday, but Martinez was left at home by the boss.
Alarm bells to ring at Aston Villa amid Martinez absence
Football Insider revealed in November that Aston Villa would accept bids for Martinez during the winter window, and with that in mind, the timing of this announcement will have alarm bells ringing at Villa Park.
Fans are already questioning whether the shot-stopper’s absence is due to a transfer-related development or whether it is merely another injury issue.
Villa have been exploring potential candidates to join the goalkeeping department in recent months, but the latest update on Martinez is sure to provide fans with fresh concern.
Regardless of his questionable actions last summer, nobody at the second city outfit will be keen to lose a goalkeeper who is undeniably among the world’s best.
Martinez has shown strong professionalism to put those issues behind him in recent months, and Villa fans will be hoping that the same old problems haven’t arisen with him once again.