Emi Martinez return date confirmed by Unai Emery ahead of Tottenham vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has returned to Bodymoor Heath this week and he is expected to be in the matchday squad to face Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day. Head coach Unai Emery confirmed after the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool that the goalkeeper would be back from Thursday, December 29.

Martinez has been on leave for a while after winning the World Cup with Argentina – a major tournament success that he had a big involvement in. The former Arsenal man, who made a huge penalty save in the final shootout, won the Golden Glove having kept three clean sheets throughout the competition.

“We are proud of him. I think every Villa supporter must be proud of him and we have in our squad a World Cup winner. I think he played amazing,” Emery said ahead of the Tottenham clash. “Many congratulations to him but we are here thinking one step ahead about our club, Villa. Of course, he needs to adapt so quickly again.

“Olsen was very good and I am so happy with him. Emiliano coming back - he will have to try and adapt again to the new way with us. He is going to be available physically, and his mentality we are going to check. Hopefully, he will be coming 100% focused for Villa. We have to try and use him again to try and be positive - using his energy and mentality to help us.”

Sweden international Olsen was the man enlisted to take the spot between the sticks from an absent Martinez, and he held his own, making some big saves up against the likes of Darwin Nuñez and Mohamed Salah. There is no doubt that Martinez is the clear number one at Villa Park, though, as he started every single Premier League match before the World Cup break.