Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Bournemouth at Villa Park on November 09, 2025 in Birmingham, England.
Emiliano Martinez, to use his Sunday name
A first Europa League trophy is beginning to look like a real possibility for Aston Villa this season.
Unai Emery’s side lead 3-1 from the first leg of their quarter-final against Bologna, and the final in Istanbul is almost within touching distance.
There is work to do yet, though, and the Villans were dealt a blow when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez missed last weekend’s Premier League draw against Nottingham Forest after injuring himself in the warm-up.
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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg match against Club Brugge at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on 12 March, 2025.
Unai Emery is the master of the Europa League having won the competition on several occasions
Martinez will have a calf problem assessed before Thursday night’s second leg against Bologna.
It was expected that backup goalkeeper Marco Bizot would start in his place, but the Argentine appears to have recovered quickly.
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“Today he is training with us, Emiliano Martinez,” said Emery on Wednesday.
“Normally, he is going to be available for tomorrow. And tomorrow we will decide.”
Martinez impressed in the first leg in Italy, making several key saves to help his side emerge with a two-goal lead.
The former Arsenal keeper is a key figure for Villa and will likely play a big part if they go on to win the trophy.
Emery, who has won the Europa League three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal as a manager, also revealed that Jadon Sancho is close to a return after a spell out with a shoulder injury.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, April 2025
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, April 2025
“He is coming back and, of course, he is a fantastic player,” Emery said.
“He needs to be consistent, I think he has been demanding and he adapted in our structure, progressively getting better.
“It’s a pity in the last two weeks he’s been injured because he finished before the break fantastic.”