Aston Villa are set to be without World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez when they face Liverpool on Boxing Day.
The goalkeeper, who’d been key in the shootout win against France in Qatar last Sunday, has been celebrating with his international teammates in their country.
Martinez was slated to meet with manager Unai Emery after the final, and while Villa have yet to confirm whether he will be ready against Liverpool on Boxing Day, sources in Argentina believe the fixture will be too soon for the 30-year-old.
Martinez will now miss Villa Park’s clash against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Monday. It is a major setback for new manager Unai Emery, who has won his first two Premier League games.
However, Villa’s Spanish coach is expected to endorse the decision and will turn to seasoned Swedish goalie Robin Olsen, 32, who has participated in the club’s pre-season friendly.
Martinez, who cost Arsenal £20 million in 2020, improved his reputation in Doha in seven games. He won the Golden Glove award after assisting Argentina to penalty shootout victories over the Netherlands and France.
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“It’s a moment that I always have to give to my teammates, they scored three goals against me and it hurt, but then I did everything right,” Martinez said after leading Argentina to glory, as per The Mirror.
He then added of his exploits in the penalty shootout: “Then I did my thing, what I dreamed of, there could not be a World Cup that I have dreamed of so much.”
It is unknown when the shot stopper will return to England to play for Villa, whose second game back is against Tottenham Hotspur on January 1st.
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