Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was asked about Emi Martinez’s future after the defeat to Crystal Palace
22:16, 31 Aug 2025Updated 22:17, 31 Aug 2025
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Unai Emery admitted that the uncertainty surrounding Emi Martinez’s future ahead of the transfer deadline was far from ideal preparation for the match against Crystal Palace.
The goalkeeper was left out of Villa’s matchday squad, as he was not in the right frame of mind amid interest from Manchester United.
While Senne Lammens is understood to be United’s top target, they could still make a move for Martinez before Monday’s deadline.
Martinez has been open to leaving Villa this summer and is believed to be keen on a move to United.
Villa suffered a 3-0 defeat to Palace on Sunday night, bringing their 22-match unbeaten run in all competitions to an end.
After the match, Emery was asked about Martinez’s future during his post-match interviews.
“It is one thing we have to fix,” Emery told Sky Sports. “Tomorrow the window is finishing and we are expecting something to improve our squad. Keep calm.
“One of the circumstances is Emi Martinez, we will see tomorrow and then we try get the balance and work after the break.”
On Match of the Day, Emery added: “We will see tomorrow [f he stays]. Of course, one of the circumstances that is not helping us.
“We need others, of course. I am happy with the players we have, but we have to get something more in the squad.”
In his press conference, Emery repeated: “We have a lot of circumstances that aren’t helping us to be mentally like we were last year. After tomorrow we are going to set everything. We need the players focused and 100 per cent. He wasn’t.”
Then asked if he wants to keep Martinez, the Villa boss said: “I want Marco Bizot, a young player, Emi Martinez or another.”
What do you make of Emery’s comments? Tell us here
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