Aston Villa manager Unai Emery confirms that their star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won’t be available against Liverpool on the boxing day clash.
There have been suggestions that the Argentine golden glove winner wanted to make himself available against the English giants. He has been crucial in the penalty shootout of the final, which eventually helped his country to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Villa allows Martinez to celebrate the World Cup win
Celebrations in Argentina have extended far into this week, and with the vast majority of players who competed in the World Cup are given extra time off, Unai Emery has now confirmed that their number-one keeper will not feature.
Emi is expected to return to action against Tottenham on January 1.
“We are expecting him to be ready for the next game at Tottenham on New Year’s Day,”
Emery said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by The Athletic.
“He had an excellent World Cup and we’re looking forward to having him back.”
“We can all be proud of Emiliano because we have a winner in our squad.”
Time for Olsen to shine
This has forced Emery to start their second-choice goalkeeper Robin Olsen to replace Martinez on Boxing day. Although the Swede has been suffering from a minor injury problem. He will most probably start the game as the other option for the Villa manager is 19-year-old, Filip Marschall.
Martinez’s absence will definitely be felt by the Villa fans. The Argentine is one of Villa’s stand-out performers since his move from Arsenal in 2020. His World Cup performance has only boosted his self-confidence.
Homecoming
Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool player Phillippe Coutinho is fit and ready to play against his old club after recovering from his injury. On the other hand Villan’s young midfielder Jacob Ramsey will miss out with a hamstring injury.
A trip to Villa Park will not be an easy fixture for the Merseyside giants, with Emery’s side rejuvenated since the Spaniard took over from Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard earlier this season. But with the absence of Martinez, the Reds are now favorites for this fixture.
