After witnessing Emi Martinez withdraw from the starting lineup on short notice for the third time this season, Aston Villa might be reconsidering his future with the team.
In previous matches against Brighton and Feyenoord, Martinez was initially slated to play, only to pull out just before kickoff. The pattern repeated itself at Nottingham Forest, where his backup, Marco Bizot, was informed just 25 minutes prior that he would be stepping in. This time, Martinez was sidelined due to a calf issue.
Bizot, a reliable and capable goalkeeper, performed admirably, making a crucial save in the second half. However, if Unai Emery and his team are beginning to grow impatient with Martinez, it would not be surprising.
Martinez’s dedication to Aston Villa has never been in question, and he remains one of their standout goalkeepers in recent history, often playing through hamstring pain. Nonetheless, every good run has its limit.
Following his withdrawal against Brighton, Martinez returned just three days later to help secure a 2-1 victory over Arsenal. A similar situation occurred after the Feyenoord game, yet he still played a role in the win over Burnley less than 72 hours later. These incidents suggest the injuries were not overly severe.
As Villa gears up to face Bologna on Thursday, with a Europa League semi-final spot on the line if they avoid defeat, the uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeper position poses a challenge. Despite Bizot’s capabilities, Villa cannot afford such unpredictability in such a crucial role.
Emi Martinez suffered yet another setback with an injury in the warm-up at the City Ground
This 1-1 draw felt like a missed opportunity for both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa
Aston Villa went 1-0 up as Murillo put the ball in his own goal midway through the first period
Until now, they have not suffered too much from Martinez’s absence. They beat Brighton and Feyenoord and secured a point here. What if it happened before a Europa League Final, though?
Emery’s men took the lead in the first half when Murillo turned Morgan Rogers’ cross into his own net, only for Neco Williams to equalise for Forest shortly before half-time. Villa crept a point closer to achieving a place in next season’s Champions League, while Forest now have a three-point gap to the relegation zone.
Asked about Martinez, Emery said: ‘He was telling us in the warm-up that he didn’t feel comfortable with his calf. But Marco Bizot is a fantastic goalkeeper and he responded brilliantly in the circumstances.’
Emery had already made an eye-catching decision by leaving Ezri Konsa, a vital player throughout his tenure, on the bench. Yet central defensive pair Pau Torres and Victor Lindelof were among Villa’s best players.
With Ross Barkley operating in the No10 position where he made his name early in his career, Villa were on top early on, despite making only three changes to Forest’s nine and it was no surprise when they took the lead.
Morgan Rogers was played into space inside the Villa box and with Ola Aina 10 yards behind him, he drilled the ball across goal. It rebounded off the shin of Murillo and trickled into the net, with Matz Sels helpless.
Moments later, Sels saved brilliantly from Ollie Watkins after a fine move involving Torres, Barkley and Rogers. Though Watkins was initially flagged offside, replays showed he was level with Nikola Milenkovic and had he found the net, it would probably have been given.
Forest had another close shave when Rogers, again in far too much space, drove against the outside of the post.
Emery rarely looks relaxed on the touchline and what happened soon afterwards would have enraged him. His side missed at least two chances to clear, allowing Aina to cross deep. Callum Hudson-Odoi took over and under little pressure, set up Williams to hammer a low shot beyond Bizot from 20 yards.
Early in the second half Bizot did his team proud, showing brilliant reactions to turn the ball away when Morgan Gibbs-White’s shot clipped Matty Cash and looked destined for the corner.
Neco Williams’ leveller ensured that the spoils were shared, but a point is not a huge help to either side
Then at the other end, Sels matched him by clawing away John McGinn’s effort as it curved towards the net.
Forest boss Vitor Pereira had just sent on Chris Wood when Rogers produced an astonishing miss. Sels saved again, this time from Barkley, and Rogers lashed the loose ball into the Villa fans from eight yards. No wonder Emery covered his face with his hands.
Now the game was opening up. Youri Tielemans did well to block another dangerous strike from Williams as Forest fans turned up the volume. With his side wobbling, Emery responded with a triple change and a minute later one of the substitutes, Emi Buendia, fed Watkins who blazed over from 15 yards.
Forest boss Pereira said: ‘Some teams prefer to be victims but we prefer to be warriors and fighters. With responsibility and spirit, we will fight until the last game. We faced a team fighting to be in the Champions League and a draw is better than nothing.’
