Emiliano Martinez is expected to make himself available for Aston Villa’s Europa League meeting with Bologna on Thursday.
The Argentina goalkeeper was named in the starting XI for last Sunday’s match at Nottingham Forest but pulled out during the warm-up – the third time this has happened this season. Villa boss Unai Emery said Martinez had a calf problem.
Daily Mail Sport understands Martinez felt that if he had played at Forest, he risked tearing the muscle and possibly missing the rest of the season.
With Villa trying to win the Europa League and finish in the top five of the Premier League, Martinez felt playing at Forest would have been too great a risk to take.
Emery confirmed later on Wednesday that Martinez is likely to be available against Bologna, with Villa protecting a 3-1 lead from last week’s first leg in Italy.
He said: ‘He is a fantastic goalkeeper and a fantastic guy. He is performing amazingly and we are very proud of him. Every day we try to have everyone available and when something happens at the last moment like Sunday, (back-up goalkeeper) Marco Bizot responded brilliantly. Under normal circumstances Martinez will be available for tomorrow and we will decide. He trained with us.’
The 33-year-old has managed back and hamstring problems at different times during his Villa career and has also had to play through the pain barrier in certain matches.
Yet it is a strong possibility that this season will be Martinez’s last at Villa.
Martinez wanted to leave Villa last summer and attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, but they never made a bid. Even if Villa finish in the Champions League places, Martinez may still be open to leaving and this time Villa could be willing to sell.
Villa signed Martinez for about £16million in 2020, meaning whatever fee they receive would help ease their difficulty meeting Premier League and UEFA spending rules.
Martinez is also Villa’s highest earner along with Youri Tielemans and selling the 33-year-old would also lighten the wage bill a little.
Daily Mail Sport reported on Monday that Villa were considering a move for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford in the summer.
