Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is a doubt for Aston Villa at dwelling to Brentford within the Premier League on Wednesday (8.15pm GMT), supervisor Unai Emery has stated.
Argentina worldwide Martinez, who was topped greatest goalkeeper on this planet for a second consecutive yr on the Ballon d’Or awards in October, was changed at half-time throughout Villa’s 3-0 league defeat at Chelsea on Sunday.
“He has a difficulty in his hand,” stated Emery, whose facet have the joint-fewest clear sheets on this season’s high flight. “I don’t understand how he’s going to really feel.”
The Boss on Brentford: “I need to dominate and management the sport in opposition to the opposition however that’s going to be very tough. Their goalkeeper is enjoying unbelievable, they’ve excellent gamers in numerous highs of the pitch they usually have gamers who’re quick, skillful and play… pic.twitter.com/fmpmMzTiNr
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 3, 2024
Emi Martinez damage
Emery stated he anticipated Martinez to endure extra checks on Tuesday forward of Villa’s try to finish their eight-match winless run.
Whereas the Villans haven’t conceded in any of their 5 Champions League matches, their solely shut-out within the league got here on October 6 at dwelling to Manchester United, who had solely scored 5 instances in seven matches at that time.
Martinez had been ever-present within the league earlier than struggling his damage, conceding no less than two targets in every of his final 4 league appearances.
Villa vs Brentford: Emery praises Bees
Eighth-placed Brentford are a degree above Villa within the desk after incomes seven factors from their final 9, though no group within the division has taken fewer away factors than the one secured by Thomas Frank’s group of their six matches on the highway.
Emery referred to as the Bees “probably the greatest constant groups” within the division during the last yr, including that the guests had “alternative ways” to harm opponents.
On tomorrow evening and our followers: “We’ll want them supporting us like they’re doing and naturally, we’d like their vitality. Hopefully they will transmit their vitality, we are able to as properly transmit to them our capability to play being motivated being intense with good and constructive vitality and… pic.twitter.com/GCqzspITnv
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 3, 2024
“It’s not the Brentford I knew once I was [manager] at Arsenal in 2018,” he noticed. “They’re including numerous issues tactically and enjoying good soccer with the ball.
“They’re aggressive. They’ll use lengthy balls and rating from a second motion. They’ll do combos, build up, enjoying passes, progressing and utilizing their qualities to attain targets.
“Their excessive press is absolutely sturdy, [as is] their place defensively after they should low block. They’ve good gamers in transition.”
Victory may transfer Brentford sixth, whereas three factors for Villa would put them in competition to rise as excessive as seventh.