Aston Villa

Aston Villa: Preece hopeful Emiliano Martínez will play against Southampton

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Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is a doubt for this evening’s Premier League fixture against Southampton.

That is according to the Birmingham Mail’s Villa correspondent Ashley Preece, who was talking on the Claret & Blue podcast ahead of this evening’s fixture.

Manager Steven Gerrard revealed in his pre-match press conference yesterday, that his side could be without all three of their senior goalkeepers for tonight’s visit of Southampton.

The manager revealed that Martínez had been sent home through illness, whilst Robin Olsen was absent through injury, with Jed Steer still on the road to recovery following an Achilles problem.

But Preece believes that the 30-year-old goalkeeper could be available for this evening’s clash with Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side. 

“The day before the game, Villa haven’t had any of their senior goalkeepers in training,” Preece told the Claret & Blue podcast.

“Obviously Martínez is ill, he got sent home earlier.

“He’s not very well at all, but Gerrard is hopeful he’ll play. 

“He was sent home as a bit of a precaution really, to make sure he’s right for tomorrow [tonight].

“So, Martínez should be okay.”

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TIF Thoughts on Preece’s comments

We believe that Villa fans will be scrolling through social media channels anxiously in the coming hours to get the latest on Martínez’s availability tonight.

The 17-time Argentina international is one of Gerrard’s most important players, and losing their first-choice goalkeeper for a must-win clash this evening would be a huge blow to the West Midlands side.

Therefore, we believe that Villa fans will be desperate to receive positive news about the availability of both Martínez and Olsen, when the team sheets are released this evening.

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