Aston Villa ignore protests & see off Maccabi Tel-Aviv.mp4
There have been some changes to Aston Villa’s leadership team – at the expense of Emi Martinez the benefit of Ezri Konsa.
Unai Emery has confirmed Emiliano Martinez is no longer Aston Villa’s vice-captain after Ezri Konsa was handed the armband from the start for the 2-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Konsa captained the Villans from the beginning of a fixture for the first time since a 1-1 draw with Brentford in 2021. Although Konsa has sometimes worn the armband when captain John McGinn has been substituted off in matches, such duties from the start are somewhat of a collector’s item for the England international.
But not anymore, it would seem, as Emery has taken the decision to demote Martinez from his vice-captaincy. Instead, Konsa is set to carry out the responsibility, sharing the task with fellow long-time servants Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins.
Emery confirms Aston Villa vice-captaincy decision
It comes as no surprise to see McGinn, who came off the bench against Maccabi to make his 300th Villa appearance, remain as the club’s captain in most instances. Though when the skipper is handed a rare rest, just as he was against Maccabi, Konsa, Mings and Watkins will take on the honour.
Emery was asked to clarify the current Villa leadership situation during the post-match press conference. The head coach confirmed, as expected, that McGinn remains captain. But, albeit in broken English, Emery also appeared to explain how Martinez has taken a step down the hierarchy.
“The first captain is John McGinn. We decided how we are as well managing the next captain,” began Emery. “Usually we have another captain, Emi Martinez as second captain. But now, after speaking with him, I prefer to get him back. Konsa is the next one. Tyrone Mings with Ollie Watkins too. Normally we are managing it like that.”
Writing on the wall for Emi Martinez
As much as Emery has only just confirmed this development, it’s been apparent for a little while now. When McGinn has been substituted off in matches, the armband has been handed to one of Konsa, Mings or Watkins. In the past, Martinez would have taken it instead.
So the signs have been there. It’s just not been made official until now. And it’s not really much of a surprise considering how the summer went. As Birmingham World reported, anonymous sources at Villa had revealed Martinez was pushing to leave at the end of last season, causing tensions.
That desire became more public in the final days of the summer transfer window as widespread reports emerged of a potential move to Manchester United. Martinez wanted to complete the Old Trafford switch but was denied as United signed Senne Lammens instead.
Martinez’s transfer saga took its toll on the Villa dressing room, with many players let down by his lack of commitment. The poor club morale at the time may have had an impact on Villa’s awful start to the season as goals became a rarity. Had Martinez retained the vice-captaincy, it may not have gone down well.
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