- Emiliano Martínez had to pull out of Aston Villa’s starting XI against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, due to a issue in the warm-up
- The injury is not said to be serious, and he could return for their next match
- Villa play Bologna in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday
Aston Villa handed a massive boost as Emiliano Martínez is expected to avoid a long-term layoff following a calf scare at Nottingham Forest.
The race for the Champions League has taken a breath of relief following a major injury scare involving Aston Villa’s most influential figure.
Supporters were left reeling when Emiliano Martínez was forced to withdraw from the starting lineup just minutes before the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on April 12th, after feeling discomfort during the pre-match warm-up.
With Marco Bizot stepping in and 21-year-old James Wright promoted to the bench, fears immediately swirled regarding the long-term fitness of the two-time Yashin Trophy winner.
However, the latest updates from Bodymoor Heath and Argentina suggest that the “World Cup winner’s” absence was merely a strategic precaution.
Unai Emery clarified after the final whistle that the goalkeeper had flagged a calf issue, opting not to risk a more severe tear during the high-stakes clash.
As the club enter a decisive end-of-season run-in, having their “sweeper-keeper” and dressing-room leader back in the fold will be paramount to securing a historic seat at Europe’s top table.
After the match, Unai Emery explained, “He (Martínez) was feeling something in his calf and was not feeling comfortable to play.”
This suggests that the decision to take the two-time Yashin Trophy winner out of the starting lineup was merely a precaution.
Argentinian journalists, Gaston Edul and Diego Monroig, also confirmed this point, and that “his absence today (12th April) won’t be a problem.”
Ahead of an intense end-of-season run-in, this is a huge boost for Villa’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
One of Villa’s key players
Despite the frustration among Villa supporters, given that this was the third time Martínez has pulled out of the game at the last minute, the 33-year-old is one of their best players and is a crucial cog in Emery’s system.
The World Cup winner has a knack for making incredible stops that can often be match-winning, and that other goalkeepers cannot make. He is one of the most influential players in the dressing room and brings an elite “winners” mentality.
Furthermore, his ability on the ball is central to Emery’s tactical setup. The Spaniard’s system relies heavily on building play from the back under intense pressure, and Martínez is perfect at it.
He’s the “sweeper-keeper”, the playmaker, who possesses amazing composure to pick out mid to long-range passes even with an opponent’s high press.
This calmness allows Villa to maintain control of games and dictates the tempo of their build-up play.
Ultimately, Martínez has been a key pillar in the success the club has built in the last few years. A quick return from injury would be a major boost, as he is a crucial player and will no doubt play a significant role in helping Villa qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
