Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed that goalkeeper Emi Martinez was substituted at half-time during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park due to a calf injury. Martinez, who made a crucial first-half save denying Crystal Palace’s Brennan Johnson, was replaced by Marco Bizot for the second half.
“He has a small injury, specifically in his calf,” Emery explained after the match. “I am not a doctor, but we will have it checked. He played fantastically in the first half, and Marco Bizot also performed excellently after coming on.”
Bizot’s appearance marked his ninth of the season, during which he helped Villa maintain a clean sheet in the latter half of the game. Martinez’s injury comes amid a challenging season for the goalkeeper, who previously missed games against Feyenoord, Brighton, Bologna, Basel, and West Ham due to various injury concerns.
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Martinez also sat out earlier fixtures, including the reverse match against Crystal Palace and the season opener against Newcastle United because of a suspension. His future appeared uncertain around the final transfer deadline but remains a key part of Villa’s squad.
Villa supporters will be keen to hear further updates as the club awaits a medical assessment of Martinez’s injury. Emery remains hopeful that the goalkeeper will recover in the coming days or weeks and return to action in full fitness.