Unai Emery hails Marco Bizot as Emi Martinez withdraws with calf pain | OneFootball

Unai Emery hailed Marco Bizot after the back-up keeper stepped in late and helped secure a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, Bizot was told to start at the City Ground with 20 minutes' notice when Emi Martinez withdrew in the warm-up with calf pain, the third time this season.

The 35-year-old, signed from Brest last summer, made key stops from Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White as Villa collected another point in their push for Champions League football.

Emery said Martinez felt discomfort before kick-off and stressed Bizot’s readiness, experience and intelligence, describing his response as fantastic.

Martinez also sat out wins at Feyenoord and Brighton after similar pain beforehand, and Bizot replaced him at half-time in January’s 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace.

Asked if he could still rely on the Argentina international, Emery said his focus was on the team producing a good response to whatever happens.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com