Emi Martinez is set to MISS Aston Villa’s clash with Tottenham having only returned to training on Friday… as Unai Emery prepares to recall deputy keeper Robin Olsen despite his shaky display against Liverpool
- Unai Emery is set to start Robin Olsen over Emiliano Martinez against Tottenham
- Martinez returned to training on Friday for the first time since his World Cup win
- Emery plans to speak with Martinez following his controversial World Cup antics
- The 30-year-old stopper is likely to make his return versus Wolves on Wednesday
Emiliano Martinez may have to wait until Aston Villa’s clash with Wolves next week to make his Premier League comeback.
The World Cup-winning goalkeeper on Friday completed his first training session with Villa since the tournament, where he enhanced his reputation by helping Argentina lift the trophy.
But barring a late change of mind, it is thought Villa boss Unai Emery was leaning towards sticking with Robin Olsen for Sunday’s clash with Tottenham in north London, given Martinez has been back at the club for such a short time.
Emi Martinez will likely have to wait until next week before making his Premier League return
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is set to recall deputy keeper Robin Olsen against Tottenham
Olsen played in the 3-1 defeat by Liverpool at Villa Park on Boxing Day and is likely to retain his spot in the starting XI despite a shaky display.
Asked about Martinez after that game, Emery said: ‘He is going to be available physically and his mentality we are going to check.
‘Hopefully he is coming 100 per cent focused on Aston Villa. Of course he needs to adapt quickly again in our work.
Martinez (back left) helped Lionel Messi and Argentina lift the World Cup in Qatar last month
The 30-year-old goalkeeper made an obscene gesture as he collected his Golden Glove award
‘When Emiliano is coming back (he has) to adapt again in a new way with us.’
Villa face Wolves just three days after taking on Spurs and unless Emery changes his plan, that appears the likely return date for Martinez at this stage.
Emery had also planned to speak to Martinez, 30, about his controversial celebrations in Qatar.
Martinez controversially held a doll of Kylian Mbappe during Argentina’s World Cup bus tour
The manager admitted he would speak to his vice-captain in the wake of his World Cup antics
Emery also confirmed that he planned to discuss Martinez’s antics in the wake of the final with his vice-captain.
Martinez made an obscene gesture after being awarded the Golden Glove for the tournament’s best keeper, and continued to bait France star Kylian Mbappe in the days that followed.
Nonetheless, Martinez established himself as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet in Qatar and his imminent return to action is a huge boost to Emery as he tried to lead Villa up the table.
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