Aston Villa have now learned the stance of Emi Martinez ahead of the summer Olympics in what could be bad news for Unai Emery.
Aston Villa will already be eagerly awaiting the start of the 2024/25 campaign, as Champions League football returns to Villa Park.
The Midlands club claimed an impressive fourth-place finish last term and will hope to pick up where they left off in the Premier League.
Unai Emery’s start to the season could already be under threat, as goalkeeper Emi Martinez has made his wishes for the summer known.
Emi Martinez has told Aston Villa he wants to go to the Olympics
In an interview with Argentine outlet TyC Sports, Martinez confessed that his desire is to represent his country both at the Copa America and then at the Olympic games this summer.
Villa have blocked their players from going to the Olympic games, with Lucas Digne and Moussa Diaby learning similar fate after being denied the chance to represent France at the tournament.
Martinez has now shared that he will ‘fight’ Villa to feature at both competitions this summer.
“I want to play in the Olympic Games, but it doesn’t just depend on me. The club has blocked me many times. I decided to play the Copa América and then make a decision.
“I always put the Argentine National Team ahead and if I have to fight with the club, I will do it.
“The most important thing is the Copa America, then the Olympic Games. My dream is to win the gold.”
What Martinez could miss if he goes to the Olympics
If the Argentina number one is to go to the Olympics, he would likely miss the entirety of Aston Villa’s pre-season.
Villa’s pre-season plans kick off against Walsall on July 17th and conclude on August 10th before the Premier League season commences on the weekend of August 17th.
In the instance that Argentina made the final of the Olympics, the World Cup winners would be in action on August 9th, wiping out all of Villa’s pre-season for the goalkeeper.
The club could find themselves in a difficult situation, as keeping Martinez happy will be important, with the 31-year-old making it clear he puts country over club.
Emery should be expected to receive another plea from his favoured shot-stopper this summer, as Martinez makes his plans known to the club, with two international tournaments coming this year.
It would be a nightmare scenario for the Villans, who would not only miss their ‘keeper for pre-season, but could get him back at the club as late as the week before the campaign kicks off – having had no rest.
Only time will tell if Villa will stand firm with Martinez, who is an integral part of Emery’s squad.
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