Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has provided an update on Emi Martinez's fitness ahead of facing Arsenal
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez(Image: Getty Images)
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Emi Martinez faces a late fitness test to determine whether he will be able to start against Arsenal on Saturday.
The goalkeeper was due to start on Wednesday night against Brighton, but he couldn’t complete his warm-up due to a back injury.
Martinez was replaced in the starting line-up by Marco Bizot, who came in at short notice.
After making an early mistake, Bizot helped Villa secure all three points at Brighton, making a crucial late save to deny Danny Welbeck in the 4-3 win on the south coast.
Ahead of facing Arsenal, Unai Emery was asked for a fitness update on Martinez during his pre-match press conference.
“We will train this afternoon. He didn’t train yesterday, but it is very important for him how the passing hours are to feel better,” the Villa boss explained.
“Until the last moment I don’t know if he will be available or not tomorrow.”
If Martinez is unable to feature, Emery will pick Bizot to make his fourth league start of the campaign.
“We have Marco, and Marco is a fantastic guy and professional,” Emery said. “He accepts his role. He signed here to be the sub of Emi Martinez.
“He is ready when he is available and awaits his moment. He is so mature and responsible.”
Villa are targeting their seventh consecutive win in all competitions on Saturday as they take on the league leaders.
Arsenal have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League away games, going down 1-0 at Liverpool in August.
Each of Arsenal’s last three away defeats has been by a clean sheet, and the Gunners are unbeaten in 30 on the road when scoring at least once in a match.
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