Aston Villa have been handed an update on the fitness of Emi Martinez ahead of the crucial Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against Olympiacos.
On Thursday night, all eyes will be on Piraeus as Aston Villa look to overcome a two-goal deficit against Olympiacos in a bid to make it to the Europa Conference League final.
The first leg at Villa Park did not go as planned for Unai Emery, as his side were defeated 4-2 by the Greek outfit, seeing their European dream take a significant hit.
It’s not impossible for the Villans to qualify however, it won’t be easy, as Emery’s squad must do something they’ve done just twice in the competition so far, keeping a clean sheet away from home.
It’s imperative that Villa keep a clean sheet and score three in 90 minutes to progress to the final without the need to play extra time and penalties, something that may be made easier by the latest injury update.
Aston Villa handed Emi Martinez injury update ahead of Olympiacos clash
In the first leg, famed goalkeeper Emi Martinez was unavailable due to being suspended after collecting two yellow cards against LOSC Lille in the quarter-final.
Aside from being suspended, the 31-year-old has been nursing a hamstring injury after being withdrawn against Chelsea in the Premier League, with the Midlands club eagerly awaiting his availability.
Journalist Gaston Edul gave an encouraging update on the goalkeeper’s fitness status ahead of Thursday night’s blockbuster, sharing a five-word hint at whether the Argentine is expected to be fit, saying, ‘Dibu returns, headline next Thursday’.
Edul reported last week that Martinez would play against Olympiacos in the second leg, stressing that he wouldn’t miss an occasion as great as the decisive semi-final.
To add to hope that the former Arsenal ace will return on Thursday, the world’s number one ‘keeper posted a photo on Instagram yesterday at Bodymoor Heath, pictured kitted up with his son at the club’s training ground.
Aston Villa have desperately missed Emi Martinez
Since leaving the pitch at half time against Chelsea, Villa fans have been counting down the seconds to see Martinez return between the sticks.
The Argentine’s absence was notable in the first leg as Robin Olsen struggled to make himself known in a similar way to the World Cup winner in goal, seeing Villa concede four at home.
It wasn’t entirely Olsen’s fault as Villa were below-par all over the pitch although there were a handful of instances where Martinez was missed, particularly as Emery’s side struggled to play out from the back.
As seen against LOSC Lille in the quarter-final second-leg, having a personality as experienced and as confident on the big stage is imperative for Villa, as the 31-year-old stepped up when needed and fired Villa to the final four.
Having been the hero in a World Cup final penalty shootout, Martinez knows how to impose himself on the biggest of occasions, with Villa’s first European final since 1982 on the line on Thursday.
The post Emery receives 5-word Emi Martinez injury update ahead of Aston Villa's trip to Olympiacos - journalist appeared first on Aston Villa News.
