---
title: "Gabby Agbonlahor discusses Tom Heaton’s chances of returning to starting XI"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2020/11/12/gabby-agbonlahor-tom-heaton-not-going-to-play-villa/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2020-11-12T11:00:03Z"
modified: "2020-11-12T11:00:03Z"
---

# Gabby Agbonlahor discusses Tom Heaton’s chances of returning to starting XI

Gabby Agbonlahor has discussed [Tom Heaton](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/10/22/dean-smith-provides-key-injury-update-on-heaton-and-wesley/)‘s chances of winning back his starting place at Aston Villa given the form of Emiliano Martinez.

The former Villa striker watched his former club produce a superb performance against Arsenal last weekend, beating the Gunners 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Whilst the performance of a number of Villa players stood out, Spanish ‘keeper Martinez continued his impressive start to life at the club, having signed from Arsenal in the summer for [£20m.](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-20m-emiliano-martinez-transfer-goalkeeper-aston-villa-a4548496.html)

The 26-year-old has featured in all seven of Villa’s league games so far this term, with his form earning an average match rating of 6.92 out of 10 from [WhoScored.com](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/102248/Show/Emiliano-Mart%C3%ADnez), and Agbonlahor has now tipped him to keep his place when Heaton returns to full fitness.

Heaton, who suffered a [serious knee injury](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/01/02/aston-villas-premier-league-survival-hopes-suffer-blow-fears/) back in January, is yet to return to full fitness, and Agbonlahor has spoken about his pending return to action after the England international [played](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/U23s-Burnley-2-2-Aston-Villa/) 63 minutes in their 2-2 draw with Burnley’s under-23’s.

*“**Martinez is definitely number one,”* the 34-year-old told [Football Insider.](https://www.footballinsider247.com/unbelievable-exclusive-agbonlahor-in-awe-of-aston-villa-player-amid-u-23s-display/)

*“It’s unfortunate for Tom Heaton that he got injured when he did forced Aston Villa to go and buy a keeper, if he hadn’t got injured they wouldn’t have gone and bought Martinez.*

*“Martinez has been unbelievable, he’s been strong and good on the ball, just a perfect goalkeeper that Aston Villa need.*

*“They’ve filled the position and it means Tom Heaton is not going to play.*

*“It’s like if you’re a left-winger you’re not going to play because of Jack Grealish. Certain positions in the team you know now that you’re not going to be able to get into.”*

### **Read Aston Villa Verdict**

This leve of competition is a healthy thing for Dean Smith to have at Aston Villa. Heaton would certainly be deserving of his place back in the starting XI given the [form he showed prior to his injury](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tom-heaton/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/34130) but Martinez’s performances cannot be ignored either.

With Villa in such good form, Smith would be silly to change such a vital position in his starting XI and, for that reason alone, Heaton may just have to wait and be patient for his chance.