Emi Martinez sends ‘final’ message to Aston Villa fans after ‘waving goodbye’
Emi Martinez had an emotional message for Aston Villa supporters after footage showed him leaving Villa Park in tears.
Aston Villa boosted their Champions League hopes with a 2–0 win over Tottenham on 16 May in their final match at Villa Park this season.
Ezri Konsa delivered an outstanding performance, capping it off with a goal, while Boubacar Kamara sealed the victory with a composed finish into the bottom corner.
But it was the scenes after the final whistle that drew the most attention. Martinez was seen walking around Villa Park in tears, appearing to wave goodbye in what was the club’s final home fixture of the season.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that three Saudi Arabian clubs are pursuing Martinez, and his emotional reaction could be a sign that his time at Villa is coming to an end.
Aston Villa fans open to Emi Martinez exit after emotional farewell
Following the full-time whistle, the 32-year-old took to Instagram to share an emotional message: “Thank you for all your support this season.
“We finished strong at home but we got one more final to go.”
The post drew plenty of attention from teammates, with Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and Marco Asensio all liking the message.
Despite the overall positivity in the squad, some Aston Villa supporters appear open to Martinez moving on after what many have seen as a dip in form.
The goalkeeper has come under scrutiny from pundits in recent weeks, with several pointing to his performances as a factor in Villa’s Champions League quarter-final exit to PSG.
Since joining from Arsenal in 2020, Martinez has been a key figure in Villa’s resurgence, quickly becoming a fan favourite and a central part of the team’s progress.
However, with potential pressure to comply with Profit and Sustainability Regulations, Villa may be forced to consider offers for the Argentine this summer.
| Premier League table | Points |
| 2. Arsenal | 68 |
| 3. Newcastle | 66 |
| 4. Chelsea | 66 |
| 5. Aston Villa | 66 |
| 6. Man City | 65 |
Aston Villa interested in Harvey Barnes as summer plans take shape
Despite financial challenges, Aston Villa are expected to strengthen their squad in the upcoming window.
Former Premier League midfielder Chris Waddle told Football Insider that Harvey Barnes would be open to leaving Newcastle for a move to Villa this summer.
Barnes, who joined Newcastle in the summer of 2023, has struggled to secure a regular starting role under Eddie Howe.
With Marcus Rashford’s impending exit, a place could open up in Unai Emery’s side and Barnes may see that as an opportunity to re-establish himself as a consistent Premier League starter.