Emery hails World Cup winner after failed Man United move

Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, expressed his delight at having reintegrated Emiliano Martinez into the squad after the Argentina international helped them keep a clean sheet against Everton. 

Martinez was expected to leave Villa in the summer, and his final game last season was treated like an emotional farewell. After failing to secure an exit, he was reintegrated into the starting lineup today and helped keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw at the Everton Stadium. 

After the match, Emery, who comically responded “Marco Bizot”, the name of their backup goalkeeper, to every question asked about Martinez’s absence in a previous game, shared his excitement to have the Argentine back in the squad. 

“I am so, so happy. We need him. We struggled in his situation, but we have to get [our] feelings together and feel the collective objective,” he said, per the BBC. “Today, his comeback has been fantastic. We have to protect him and feel him inside the group so he is comfortable and confident. He was fantastic.”    

The World Cup winner came close to joining Manchester United, with the Red Devils having initiated talks with his representatives and Aston Villa. However, they opted to go for the younger Senne Lammens after failing to reach an agreement with the Villans.