Unai Emery
Unai Emery is hopeful Emi Martinez can help Aston Villa achieve their lofty ambitions after winning the World Cup with Argentina.
Unai Emery said: “He is progressing a lot and is so ambitious. When I knew him at Arsenal he was telling me in that moment I want to be the first goalkeeper of Argentina. He achieved it. The last time I met with him here I was talking about his ambition and he told me he wanted to be the best goalkeeper in the world. I want players like that. I want players being ambitious, professional every day and thinking to learn and be better. His mind is so strong. Here we don’t have a lot of players with experiences winning a lot of trophies and titles – those big moments. I think Emiliano can – and must – use these experiences to help us hear and be positive. Hopefully we will eventually win some trophies here and get closer to our target to be in Europe with Aston Villa. When you have players with those experiences winning a lot they can help you better on the pitch and in the dressing room. I like players to open up and share their experiences with one another. Now we can use Emiliano to do that here.”
Martinez is currently in Argentina celebrating winning the competition with his nation and is due to return to Bodymoor Heath next Thursday, meaning he will mis the Boxing Day clash against Liverpool.
Unai Emery said: “I told the players before the World Cup they would have a minimum of seven days off and a maximum of 12. For Emiliano, Monday is the eighth day after the final and I have told him to come in on Thursday. I think he is going to be available, if he is ready, to play against Tottenham.”
