Unai Emery celebrating looking towards Emi Martinez waving with Aston Villa and Manchester United badges behind them
Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media
Max Wilkins
Thu 18 September 2025 7:10, UK
Emi Martinez looked destined to leave Aston Villa for Manchester United in the summer.
Martinez nearly joined Man United from Villa, but ultimately, an offer never came from Ruben Amorim’s side at Villa Park.
This came despite Martinez’s contact with Lisandro Martinez at Man United, proving exactly where the Argentine’s allegiances lay, particularly on deadline day.
Regardless of this, the keeper returned to the pitch for the B6 club as Martinez started for Villa against Everton and kept an impressive clean sheet on Merseyside.
It appears that conversations have been held between Martinez and Unai Emery, which have ultimately changed the mindset at the claret and blue outfit.
Emi Martinez looking down holding his hand out while playing for Aston Villa
Credit: Imago
Villa News presents the exclusive opinion of iconic football commentator Ian Darke.
Emi Martinez and Unai Emery hold crunch talks at Aston Villa
Martinez was easily Villa’s best player against Everton, proving exactly where his mind is now that a move to Old Trafford is off the table.
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With that being said, the atmosphere surrounding the shot-stopper among Villa fans is still seen as sour after such a controversial end to the window.
Even if that is the case, there is no getting away from the fact that Villa, and especially Emery, need him to be at his best in between the sticks.
This has seen commentator Darke suggest that talks were held between the Spaniard and Martinez before the keeper featured against Everton.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Darke said: “It looks as if he’s back on board mentally.
“It may be that he’s accepted that he isn’t going, he probably would have liked to go to Manchester United.
“They had the option to do so, but for whatever reason, didn’t.
“I think he’s being practical about it and had a good chat with Unai Emery, clearly, something has happened between two strong characters there.
“I would say that [patting the badge after beating Everton] was a sign to the fans to say, ‘You’re going to see me back being the goalkeeper I used to be.’“
Emi Martinez playing for Aston Villa
Credit: Imago
Emi Martinez could still join Manchester United
The 33-year-old may now be focused on the claret and blue outfit, but that isn’t to say that a future move isn’t on the table.
Considering the fact that Manchester United have signed Senne Lammens, a young option, they could still swoop for an experienced alternative like Martinez.
As a result, Villa could still wave goodbye to the Argentine in the coming months, regardless of gestures towards Villa supporters in the away end on Merseyside.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes for the ex-Arsenal man, but there is generally no positivity around the Villans at all right now.
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