Emery hails ‘fantastic’ Martinez return as Villa struggles continue

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The Football Faithful

·13 September 2025

Emery hails ‘fantastic’ Martinez return as Villa struggles continue

Unai Emery was delighted to be able to call upon Emi Martinez again, but his Aston Villa side continue to struggle for form in the Premier League.

The goalkeeper played no part in the Midlands outfit’s opening three games of the season while he was linked with a move away.

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Martinez was reportedly hoping to join Manchester United on transfer deadline day, but the Red Devils signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp instead.

The World Cup winner kept a clean sheet on his return between the sticks against Everton on Saturday, but the Villans failed to create many openings at the other end as they were held to a scoreless draw.

Emery hails ‘fantastic’ Martinez return as Villa struggles continue

Despite dropping two points at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Emery picked out the positives from his team’s performance.

“Good evening, it is a good point,” he told Sky Sports. “A lot of things positive. Firstly, the goalkeeper, Martinez did a fantastic job. He saved us a lot of times.

“We were defending with the ball, we were being disciplined and organised.

“Then we have to improve offensively as we are not scoring goals, but with this point I am happy. We are building the team and getting confidence and getting emotions together. This point is necessary to keep going.

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“Everton are performing very well. Of course, they are improving and we are building a team with circumstances that we have and recognising our positivity. Competing and feeling strong.

“We analysed the last match we played and we were not competing like we were today. Our identify today was on the field.”

Villa are yet to find the net or win a game after four rounds of Premier League action, leaving them second from bottom in the table with just two points.

“Tactically we have to try to help offensively to try to get better positions. To get more offensive situation, clarifying it a little bit, for the last pass and being clinical.

On Martinez, Emery added: “His comeback is fantastic.”

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