Emi Martinez poised for Aston Villa US trip as speculation continues
Emi Martinez is expected to fly out with the rest of Villa’s squad to the USA this week with speculation over his future continuing to rumble on.
Reports this week claimed Manchester United failed in a bid to sign the goalkeeper on loan, though that has been emphatically rejected by Villa, who insist no formal approach has yet been made.
The club are refusing to budge on their valuation, thought to be around £40million, meaning the situation remains largely unmoved from where it was when Martinez left the pitch in tears following Villa’s final home match of last season more than two months ago.
United have the Argentina international on their list of potential targets but a move is only likely if Villa significantly lower their valuation, or the Red Devils move on their own current No.1 Andre Onana.
It means Martinez is expected to be part of the group which heads to the US for the club’s tour and training camp, as preparations for the new season step up another gear.
The club’s international players, who returned to Bodymoor Heath at the start of last week, will feature for the first time in Saturday night’s friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt, which takes place in Louisville, Kentucky.
Villa also face Major League Soccer outfits St Louis and Nashville on the other side of the pond, before matches against Roma, Marseille and Villarreal in the UK and Europe.
Having used a squad supplemented heavily with youth team players in the opening two friendly defeats at Walsall and Hansa Rostock, the remaining matches give manager Unai Emery the chance to properly work on the set-up of his team ahead of the new Premier League season, which Villa begin at home to Newcastle on August 16.
The club, meanwhile, are braced for a potential late fixture change after it was confirmed Crystal Palace have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League.
Villa are currently due to host the Eagles on Friday, August 29, in a match which has been moved for live broadcast on Sky Sports.
But should Palace fail in their court bid and their place in the Conference League be confirmed, the match will need to be moved again as the London club will be scheduled to play in the competition’s play-off round on Thursday, August 28.
