Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has said goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez wants to leave the club, placing the future of one of the team’s most established players under scrutiny.
Martinez has been Aston Villa’s goalkeeper since joining the club in 2020, but Emery has now spoken publicly about the Argentina international’s desire to move on.
The comments came as Emery also explained the reasoning behind Aston Villa’s decision to sign goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The Spanish manager said Suzuki was not recruited solely as a long-term option, but to strengthen the squad immediately.
Emery believes Aston Villa are better placed when they have two goalkeepers capable of performing at a high level. The arrival of Suzuki therefore gives the club another senior-quality option alongside Martinez, while also providing competition in the goalkeeping position.
Martinez’s potential departure would represent a significant change for Aston Villa. He has been with the club since 2020 and was their established goalkeeper during the previous season, when he played 44 matches in all competitions.
The 33-year-old conceded 49 goals across those appearances and kept 14 clean sheets. Those figures underline the extent of his involvement for Aston Villa and his importance to the team during the campaign.
Emery’s remarks connect Martinez’s future with the club’s decision to bring in Suzuki. Rather than describing the Japan international’s signing as a move designed only to prepare for the future, Emery stressed the value of having two high-level goalkeepers available in the present.
That approach could leave Aston Villa with a major decision to make over Martinez, who has been the club’s regular goalkeeper since 2020. At the same time, Suzuki’s arrival means the club have strengthened the position with a player Emery sees as capable of contributing now, regardless of what eventually happens with Martinez.
The situation leaves Aston Villa facing uncertainty over the goalkeeper who has occupied the position for the past several seasons. Emery has confirmed Martinez’s wish to leave, while also making clear that Suzuki was signed to improve the squad immediately rather than simply to serve as a future replacement.
Martinez’s record from the previous season remains a central part of his time at Aston Villa. He appeared 44 times in all competitions, conceded 49 goals and recorded 14 clean sheets.
With Emery now acknowledging the goalkeeper’s intentions and highlighting the quality of Suzuki, Aston Villa have two important factors to consider in deciding how the position develops.
