Emery hails ‘fantastic’ Martinez comeback for Villa after failed move to Man United

Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Martinez in action with Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye during their Premier League match at Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Sept. 13, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 13 September 2025
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Emery hails ‘fantastic’ Martinez comeback for Villa after failed move to Man United

  • “When I wear the crest, I give nothing less than my all,” Martinez said
  • Emery said Villa needed Martinez as the team look to recover from a slow start to the season

LIVERPOOL, England: Aston Villa manager Unai Emery welcomed the return of Emi Martinez and wants the Argentina goalkeeper to feel “comfortable and confident” in the team after failing to secure a move to Manchester United late in the transfer window.
Martinez, the World Cup-winning ‘keeper from 2022, was left out of Villa’s lineup in their last match before the international break because of the uncertainty over his future at the club.

Now that the transfer window is shut and he stayed at Villa, Martinez regained his place and made some key saves in a 0-0 draw at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
“When I wear the crest, I give nothing less than my all,” Martinez said on X after the match.
Emery said Villa needed Martinez as the team looks to recover from a slow start to the season, having failed to score a goal in their first four league games.
“We struggled with his situation,” Emery said, “but we have to get feelings together and feel the collective objective. Today his comeback has been fantastic.
“We have to protect him and feel him inside the group, so he is comfortable and confident.”


Southampton’s stunning fightback leaves Leicester in turmoil

Updated 11 February 2026
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Southampton’s stunning fightback leaves Leicester in turmoil

LONDON: Southampton made an incredible late comeback from three goals down to beat crisis club Leicester 4-3 in the Championship on Tuesday.
Leicester interim manager Andy King looked set for his first victory since taking charge after first-half goals from Divine Mukasa, Patson Daka and Abdul Fatawu at the King Power Stadium.
But Southampton substitute Ross Stewart reduced the deficit in the 61st minute to spark the astonishing revival.
Leicester’s brittle confidence was exposed as Jack Stephens netted in the 82nd minute and Ryan Manning equalized five minutes later.
Shea Charles struck six minutes into stoppage time to snatch the points for Southampton in dramatic fashion, leaving King’s shell-shocked side without a win in six games.
Seven years after thrashing Southampton 9-0 at St. Mary’s, Leicester hit a devastating low of their own against the Saints.
Still searching for a permanent manager following Marti Cifuentes’ sacking, Leicester are outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.
The Foxes were recently deducted six points by the Football League for breaches of financial regulations.
Birmingham missed the chance to move into the play-off places after they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Bromwich Albion at St. Andrew’s.
New West Brom boss Eric Ramsay remains winless but claimed a second successive draw to help his side move two points above the relegation zone.
Mohamed Toure hit a hat-trick as Norwich made it five wins from their last six matches with a 3-0 victory at second-bottom Oxford.