Aston Villa's preparations for their crucial Premier League meeting with leaders Arsenal have been clouded by a major fitness doubt over star goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
Late Withdrawal Sparks Concern
The Argentina international, 33, was a late withdrawal from the squad that faced Brighton & Hove Albion after suffering back problems. Villa boss Unai Emery confirmed the issue was severe enough to prevent Martinez from completing his full pre-match warm-up, forcing the club into a last-minute change.
Martinez will undergo rigorous assessments on both Friday and Saturday to determine if he can feature against the Gunners. The fixture holds personal significance for the goalkeeper, who was sold by Arsenal to Villa for £16 million in September 2020, following a highly impressive end to the 2019-20 season played partly behind closed doors.
Contingency Plans in Place
Should Martinez fail to recover in time, Villa's deputy, Dutchman Marco Bizot, is poised to step in. Bizot, signed from French side Brest last summer, has already proven a capable understudy this season.
He replaced Martinez in October for a Europa League match against Feyenoord and kept his place for the Brighton victory, winning praise from Emery for his mature performances. "We have Marco, and Marco is a fantastic guy and professional," said the Villa manager. "He accepts his role. He signed here to be the sub of Emi Martinez. He is ready when he is available and awaits his moment."
If Martinez misses the Arsenal game, his likely return target is Villa's next Premier League fixture, the trip to West Ham United on December 14.
High-Stakes Encounter at Villa Park
The match carries significant weight in the title race. Unai Emery's side, currently in third place, are just six points behind Mikel Arteta's Arsenal after winning eight of their last nine league games.
Villa's home form has been formidable; their only league defeat at Villa Park since Arsenal won there in August 2024 came against today's opponents. A victory would close the gap to the summit to just three points, intensifying the pressure at the top of the Premier League table.
