Emiliano Martinez is in contention to face Everton as he’s completed his 10-day quarantine and is due to return to Aston Villa on Saturday morning, hours before their meeting with the Toffees.
Sky Sports say the 29-year-old will be assessed before a decision is made, but supporters on social media are desperate to have him back. He has been training while quarantining, but it’s unknown how fit he’ll actually be.
Martinez has made three Premier League appearances this season, the last of which came in Villa’s 1-1 draw with Brentford on August 28. He represented Argentina during the October international break but saw their meeting with Brazil suspended and then had stay in Croatia – a green list country for the UK.
Jed Steer deputised for Martinez in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea and is primed to keep his place between the sticks unless Smith makes a change.
Martinez kept 15 clean sheets in 38 Premier League games last season while shutting out one side from his three games this campaign, so it’s easy to see why fans are desperate to have him back.
In other news, Phil Thompson blasts ‘outrageous’ Tyrone Mings for ‘shocking’ mistakes
