Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery is unsure whether number one goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez will be available for Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Everton at Villa Park.
The former Arsenal shot-stopper sustained a calf injury during Villa’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace on January 7 and subsequently missed the FA Cup triumph over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
Emery told the media on Friday that Martinez was “progressing well”, albeit without guaranteeing his availability for the weekend, so Marco Bizot could keep hold of the gloves for the time being
The Frenchman should be shielded by a largely settled backline comprising Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash, but Ian Maatsen is likely to cede his place at left-back to Lucas Digne.
Both Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana will miss the visit of the Toffees due to injury, so Youri Tielemans should link arms with Lamare Bogarde in the double pivot, unless John McGinn is moved into a deeper role.
However, the Scotsman should be retained in an advanced position alongside Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers, who both found the net at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the cup.
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