Marco Bizot praised by Aston Villa boss Unai Emery following late call-up | OneFootball

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery preferred to focus on the performance of deputy goalkeeper Marco Bizot rather than Emiliano Martinez pulling out after the warm-up of his side’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

The Argentina international withdrew ahead of kick-off for the third time this season after feeling his calf, with Bizot getting a late call to replace him.

Villa went on to earn a point after Murillo’s early own goal was cancelled out by Neco Williams’ fierce drive before half-time, with Bizot looking assured.

Drama is never far away where eccentric goalkeeper Martinez is concerned, though, and Emery did decline the chance to back his number one.

Asked whether he could rely on Martinez, the Spaniard replied: “My only focus is everything that happens to try to have a good response.

“He was telling us, just in the warm-up, he was not feeling comfortable with his calf.

“He was feeling pain. And of course, the most important thing is how Marco responded to this circumstance. It’s really fantastic.

“If he was ready like he was before, Marco Bizot is really fantastic.

“Of course, he (Martinez) needs to understand his pain, and in the circumstances just before the match, he was in pain.

“And of course, in this situation, it is, ‘OK, change and another player’ and how he played today.

“Marco is really fantastic, and to be ready, because Marco Bizot is a fantastic goalkeeper, fantastic experience, and he’s intelligent.

“He’s a fantastic guy.”

Forest boss Vitor Pereira called on his side to show “the spirit of a champion” in their bid to beat the Premier League drop.

The Reds edged further away from trouble with the draw, which leaves them three points above the drop zone following Tottenham’s loss at Sunderland.

Pereira, whose side are now four league games without defeat, is trying to balance the need to stay in the division with a continued run in the Europa League.

“Of course, this is the time to show character, talent and character,” the Portuguese said. “Talent isn’t enough. We need to show the spirit of a champion, the spirit of a fighter, without complaint.

“I know teams and players who prefer to be victims, we need to be fighters and warriors.

“With responsibility and spirit, we need to fight until the end. We prefer to be warriors, fighters and fight every day, even when we make mistakes.

“The mistakes are something to help us move forward, to give another step, a step up.

“It means that with responsibility, with spirit, we will fight until the last game.”