The Aston Villa star’s contract is still under review and a “top-down” switch is in the works.
Aston Villa are preparing to replace a star player in their squad and have already spoken to a potential replacement, according to reports.
Villa are looking ahead to an important Premier League game against Liverpool
Friday night at Villa Park is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the Premier League season.
The Villans will host Liverpool in a head-to-head clash of Champions League football, with the two sides tied on 59 points ahead of the game.
Three points from either club and the job is done.
Throw them away – especially if Bournemouth beat Man City this weekend – and the final day turned out to be worse than anyone would have liked.
And that’s not the only thing on Villa’s mind these two days.
Unai Emery’s side are seven days away from the Europa League final against Freiburg in Istanbul – their first appearance in a major European competition since 1982.
Liverpool are eyeing Aston Villa’s ‘leader’ to replace a key star who is ‘close’ to leaving
Unai Emery’s side have reached the Europa League final.
A stunning 4-0 home win over Nottingham Forest in the second leg of the semi-final put them 4-1 on aggregate and put Villa Park in jeopardy.
The ensuing scheduling headache prompted the Premier League to move Friday’s game against Liverpool forward from Sunday.
Emery didn’t try to downplay what was to come.
“I’m very motivated, I’m very happy with Friday’s game against Liverpool,” he said.
“We have the same points. Yes, it’s Liverpool and it’s going to be very difficult, and it’s a big challenge, then we’re preparing for the final against Freiburg in 10 days. Every Aston Villa supporter should be proud of everything we’re doing.”
Striker Ollie Watkins struck a similar tone of disdain.
“We’re back at Villa Park against Liverpool, we do well every time there, so it’s going to be tough for them. We always make it tough for them, and it’s going to be an exciting last home game of the season.”
They will have to be at a high level. Villa’s league form has dipped significantly in recent months – they have taken just 16 points from their last 15 Premier League games, and Sunday’s 2-2 draw with already-relegated Burnley was not the kind of result that inspires confidence on six points.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have averaged two points from each of their last five games, although their away record this season has been poor – losing three of their last four on the road.
Amidst all that, there is an important plot developing behind the scenes.
According to TEAMtalk, Villa are now reviewing the contract status of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and have begun quietly preparing for life without their 33-year-old star.
Liverpool is part of the reason.
The Reds are said to have looked at Martinez as a long-term replacement for Alisson, and that interest is front and center at Villa Park.
Villa have apparently made early contact with Toulouse’s Guillaume Restes, a 21-year-old goalkeeper who has established himself as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting strikers.
His poise, distribution and command of his position have attracted the attention of many people, and Villa is said to like his profile.
Restes, who has been called one of the “top” goalkeepers in French football (Ben Mattinson), is not the only Martinez potential heir on their radar.
They have also had a good look at Robin Risser, another 21-year-old, who has kept 11 clean sheets in 32 league games for RC Lens this season – a return that has attracted the attention of many Premier League clubs.
Martinez has not asked to leave and nothing has been agreed, but the planning continues, the targets have been identified, and the goalkeeper’s next season at Villa Park is already building in the background.
First, though, there’s Friday.
Win it, and Champions League football is secured, regardless of what happens in Istanbul.
Aston Villa are now expected to top Tottenham’s bid to sign the UCL star
The Villans are ready to get one from the North London club.
