Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has provided an update on Emiliano Martinez after he missed our win over West Ham in the FA Cup due to injury.
The 32-year-old spoke during the week ahead of the game about his desire to put together a deep cup run and deliver silverware to the supporters, while creating more history for the club and adding to his own trophy collection.
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In turn, the expectation was that he would start on Friday night and play an integral role in helping us advance, but Robin Olsen was named in the starting line-up while Martinez wasn’t included in the matchday squad at all.
That led to fears over a potential injury, and while reports emerged prior to the game suggesting that it was only a minor issue and that Villa opted not to risk him, Emery provided further clarification after our win and the hope is that the Argentine international will be available to face Everton next Wednesday.
“He was injured,” Emery told the media at his post-match press conference. “It’s a small injury. He was not 100 per cent ready to play. We decided to play Robin Olsen.”
“I think so [back next week], but we will need to check him more.”
Olsen has the experience to step in and do a job for us, but there is no denying just how important Martinez is with his ability to be decisive and the leadership he brings to the team as he sets the standard for others.
With that in mind, it’s hoped that he was ultimately left out as a precautionary measure and doesn’t miss any further playing time, as we look to now put a strong run of form together and climb the Premier League table.
It won’t be easy at Goodison Park on Wednesday night following the return of David Moyes and so Villa will have to contend with a lively atmosphere. Having that solidity and reassurance at the back which Martinez provides coupled with his ability to produce decisive moments and control tempo with his distribution out from the back, will all hopefully prove to be pivotal in us getting a positive result on Merseyside.
