The last game of the 2024-2025 campaign was a disaster for Aston Villa. There is not a way to sugarcoat the performance that left many shocked. While the excitement of the match schedule being released helps to add to the anticipation, the effects from the Manchester United encounter remain.
Emiliano Martínez picked up a red card at Old Trafford. The Villa number one prevented Rasmus Højlund from being able to make a play on the ball after his touch led him wide of the Argentina international.
Without too much debate, 'Dibu' received a straight red card. (Although in hindsight, letting an out-of-form Højlund miss from that angle would have been the better option.) His suspension does still carry through until the next season.
Despite many looking to find every conceivable way possible to poach Martínez, among others, from Villa, he does remain on the roster and therefore a part of Unai Emery's plans moving forward.
Unfortunately for him, the first match against Newcastle will have to have someone else in net due to what transpired at Old Trafford. It is a one-match ban only, as he "denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick," as stated by the FA.
New Aston Villa between the posts either way for Newcastle
Whether Villa bring someone else in before the summer ends or give Joe Gauci a shot, Villa fans know with certainty that at least to begin the season, Martínez will not be the one in net.
As things stand at the moment, from then on, Emery will have his reliable No. 1 option at his disposal. How the club addresses the overall keeper situation until then and the first match specifically from there will remain of interest until the answers are made known through trusted, reliable sources.