Emi Martinez injury latest as Aston Villa star in race for Arsenal reunion

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Evening Standard

·5 December 2025

Emi Martinez injury latest as Aston Villa star in race for Arsenal reunion

Unai Emery delivers new update on ex-Gunners goalkeeper, with Marco Bizot on standby once more

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says he will not know until “the last moment” if Emi Martinez will be fit to face former club Arsenal this weekend.

Martinez has quickly re-established his position as Villa’s No1 goalkeeper after failing to secure a summer exit amid strong links to Manchester United, though missed Wednesday night’s dramatic 4-3 win over Brighton despite initially being named in the starting lineup.

The Argentina international was forced to pull out just minutes before kick-off due to a back injury that prevented him from taking part in a proper warm-up at the Amex Stadium.

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He was replaced by deputy Marco Bizot, who conceded three times in a seven-goal thriller on the south coast, making a mistake for Jan Paul van Hecke’s opener but later producing a crucial save to deny Danny Welbeck a last-gasp equaliser in second-half stoppage time.

Martinez’s setback has left him as a doubt for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off when in-form Villa - now up to third in the Premier League table and winners of their last six matches in succession across all competitions - welcome an Arsenal side hoping to extend their five-point lead at the summit.

Villa would move into second ahead of Manchester City’s home meeting with Sunderland later in the day and within three points of top spot with a victory.

Asked for an update on Martinez at his pre-match press conference on Friday, former Arsenal boss Emery said: “We will train this afternoon, he didn’t train yesterday, but it’s very important for him, how he is passing the hours feeling better.

“Until the last moment, I don’t know if he’s going to be available or not for tomorrow.”

While Martinez’s status for the game remains uncertain, Villa will definitely be without both Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley against Arsenal.

Former England defender Mings is not expected to return from a hamstring injury until January, while Barkley could miss up to 12 weeks with a knee problem suffered in the 1-0 win over Midlands rivals Wolves last weekend.

Arsenal will hope to have Declan Rice fit to face Villa after he was forced off late on in Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Brentford with a calf complaint.

William Saliba and Leandro Trossard could both return from injury, though Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt. Gabriel and Kai Havertz remain sidelined for the top-flight leaders.