Unai Emery gave an uncertain answer on Emi Martinez’s future after the former Gunner was seen in tears at full-time of what could be his final home appearance for Aston Villa on Friday.
Emi Martinez was seen in tears at full-time of Aston Villa’s 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night, the team’s final home game of the 2024/25 campaign.
On the surface, it was a strange moment, because Martinez still has a contract with Villa lasting until 2029. This wasn’t supposed to be his final game at Villa Park.
But Fabrizio Romano reports that Saudi Pro League clubs have approached Martinez in recent weeks, perhaps explaining his emotions. There’s no certainty over his future, but Romano claims a move is a possibility ahead of the summer window.
“Of course it is the last match (of the season) here,” Unai Emery said, when asked about Martinez’s tears. “I don’t know, we will see about the team, the players.”
Fabrizio Romano added on Saturday morning that Martinez will also assess options from Europe, as well as his Saudi Pro League offers, but he’s expected to leave one way or another.
That’s seemingly part of the reason Villa are now being linked with a move for Arsenal target Joan Garcia of Espanyol. The club are clearly on the lookout for a new goalkeeper in case Martinez departs.
Though Villa fans are often hesitant to admit it, given Martinez’s strong early performances for them, it was certainly reaching the point where he needed to be replaced.
The team have had some huge games this season, including a Champions League quarter-final and an FA Cup semi-final, and Martinez has been at fault for quite a few goals in those games.
Martinez’s eight Premier League clean sheets this season put him joint-ninth in the standings, and he drops to 11th when factoring in the extra games he’s played.
Having said that, it’s been a good end to the season, with three of Martinez’s eight league clean sheets coming in May. If he can help Villa back into the Champions League before he departs, he’ll likely view that as a fitting farewell.