- RC Lens’ Robin Risser, and Toulouse’s Guillaume Restes have been added to Aston Villa’s list of potential candidates to replace Emi Martínez
- After he was close to leaving last year, Martínez is likely to depart Villa this summer
Aston Villa have turned to Ligue 1 for potential replacements for Emi Martínez this summer. Two promising goalkeepers, Robin Risser and Guillaume Restes, are said to be of interest to Villa, as a departure looms over the Argentine.
Last summer, it seemed destined that Martínez would leave Villa Park, after the two-time Yashin Trophy winner was seen in tears at the final home game of the 2024/25 season.
Manchester United and Atletico Madrid were heavily rumoured to be interested in signing the 33-year-old, with the goalkeeper himself open to leaving.
It was reported that he was even waiting at Bodymoor Heath on deadline day for a call about a move to Old Trafford, but it never came. The Red Devils instead opted for Senne Lammens, a younger and cheaper alternative.
Despite his actions leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of supporters for a while, Martínez has since regained a lot of their trust by putting in several match-defining performances.
However, given the financial position of the club, it’s highly likely that Villa will sanction a departure for the World Cup winner in the summer. As one of the highest earners, and his current age being 33, now seems the right time for both parties to part ways.
This would mean the Villans would target a younger goalkeeper, who would be on less wages, to replace him. With James Trafford already of interest, two promising players in Ligue 1 also seem to be catching their eye.
Robin Risser and Guillaume Restes
According to FootMercato, the first option is RC Lens’ Robin Risser. Having signed from Strasbourg at the beginning of the current campaign, the 21-year-old has been one of the league’s breakout stars.
In his 32 matches in Ligue 1, he has kept 11 clean sheets and conceded only 33 goals. He is one of the nominees for Best Goalkeeper, and is reportedly in with a chance to be included in Didier Deschamps’ French squad for the World Cup.
For Villa, the deal is complex. Lens are unwilling to sell, and they are on their way to qualifying for the Champions League. Therefore, it would take a substantial offer for them to consider accepting.
This makes Guillaume Restes a more enticing and attainable option. Like Risser, he is 21, but has considerably more experience under his belt. He became first choice at Toulouse in the 2023/24 season and has since gone on to make over 100 appearances.
The lure of a club like Villa would attract him, especially if he is considering taking the next step in his career. Thus, it creates a much simpler task for Villa, compared to Risser.
ReadAstonVilla verdict
Ultimately, the potential departure of Martínez would mark a significant turning point in Villa’s modern era. While losing a world-class goalkeeper and a fan-favourite is a difficult pill to swallow, the logic behind the decision makes sense.
By scouting talents like Risser and Restes, Villa are clearly prioritising a sustainable, long-term vision. Transitioning from a seasoned veteran to a high-ceiling prospect allows the club to reduce its wage bill without a major reduction in quality between the posts.
Whether it is the rising star at Lens or the already experienced consistency of Restes, Villa are well-positioned to secure a successor capable of anchoring their ambitious future.
