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(Credit: Imago/Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 22 August 2025 12:00, UK

Emiliano Martinez is set to come straight back into Aston Villa’s starting XI despite continued speculation over his future, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have said about Unai Emery’s stance on Martinez’s future at Villa.

Martinez missed Villa’s Premier League opener against Newcastle as new signing Marco Bizot impressed to keep a clean sheet at Villa Park, giving Emery a decision to make for Saturday’s clash with Brentford.

Manchester United‘s interest in Martinez refuses to go away this summer, however, and Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 10 August that Ruben Amorim could launch a late move for Villa’s number one.

Despite this, sources have told Football Insider that Emery still sees Martinez as a key part of his plans at Villa Park, and will look to block any potential exit after Aston Villa sold Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle.

Football Insider sources have said that as Aston Villa head south to face Brentford looking for their first win of the season, Martinez is expected to line up between the sticks at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Emiliano Martinez has been one of Aston Villa’s best players under Unai Emery (Credit: Imago)

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Villa’s former CEO Keith Wyness has told Football Insider that Ollie Watkins could be forced out of Villa Park due to the Lions’ PSR situation, but Emery is set to fight tooth and nail in order to retain Martinez.

Speaking on the new Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke stated that despite having his “hands tied” by PSR this summer, Emery is in no hurry to sanction further exits after Ramsey‘s £39million move to Newcastle.

“Unai Emery wants to keep hold of Emiliano Martinez”, he told Football Insider.

“He’s had his hands tied with finances this year because of PSR – he’s had to sell Jacob Ramsey to help ease those concerns, so he won’t want to lose Emiliano Martinez.

“Now he’s back from suspension, Martinez will come back into the Villa side, and expect him to remain a key part of Emery’s plans going forward, which is huge for Villa fans.”

Villa have already sold Jacob Ramsey this summer (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Aston Villa may have found a more than able deputy to Martinez in the form of Bizot after his switch from Brest this summer, but the Argentine remains Emery’s number one and that stance is unlikely to change.

Martinez has been tipped to reject a move to Old Trafford even if Villa accept a potential bid for him, after Man United began the new season with a costly error from Altay Bayindir in their 1-0 loss to Arsenal.

Bayindir and regular first-choice Andre Onana‘s performances have made Man United’s interest in Martinez no surprise whatsoever, but their pursuit of the 32-year-old will be much easier said than done.

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