“Decided how we want to do it”
Setback: Coach demotes former world goalkeeper
November 8, 2025 – 7:31 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Emiliano Martínez wanted to leave Aston Villa in the summer. But a change failed. Now he is also losing an important office.
There has been a surprising change within the management team at Aston Villa: Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is no longer vice-captain. The decision was announced after the 2-1 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League, after coach Unai Emery explained the new captaincy.
Previously, Martínez was no longer named as captain John McGinn’s official deputy. Emery explained: “We have decided how we want to do it and who the next captain is.” The coach continued: “Normally we have another captain, Emi Martínez as second captain.”
After an exchange with the 31-year-old, he decided to move him back in the hierarchy. The new order: Ezri Konsa, followed by Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins.
The Spanish coach left it open why Martínez lost his role. There was quick speculation in the English media as to whether the development could be related to the keeper’s possible desire to move in the summer. At that time, Martínez was apparently a candidate for Manchester United. However, a transfer did not take place.
For the goalkeeper, who played a crucial role in Argentina’s title at the 2022 World Cup with spectacular saves in the penalty shootout, the loss of the vice-captainship is a significant turning point. In addition, Martínez is no longer the undisputed number one: out of ten possible Premier League games so far, he has only been in goal eight times, and in the Europa League only in two out of four possible games.