EMI MARTINEZ is no longer the Aston Villa vice-captain after manager Unai Emery confirmed his surprise change.
The Argentine goalkeeper has been deputy for normal skipper John McGinn since July 2022 and Steven Gerrard’s time as boss.
Since then he has continued to establish himself as one of the best No.1s in the world.
Martinez, 33, started the season in controversial style, though, as he waited for a call to leave Villa on deadline day, fully expecting a move to Manchester United.
He was left out of Emery‘s side for their September 31 home defeat to Crystal Palace amid the uncertainty over his future but has been ever present in the Premier League since.
Now, with McGinn rested for Thursday’s win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League, Martinez’s position in the leadership team has been reduced.
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Instead of leading the players out for the 2-0 victory, it was Ezri Konsa wearing the armband.
Emery explained afterwards: “The first captain is John McGinn. We decided how we are, as well as managing the next captain.
“Usually, we have another captain, Emi Martinez, as second captain. But now, after speaking with him, I prefer to get him back.
“Konsa is the next one. Tyrone Mings, with Ollie Watkins too. Normally, we are managing it like that.”
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Villa now have a clear structure with Martinez behind McGinn and his three English teammates.
The World Cup winner still has almost four years left on his contract after signing a long-term deal last August.
He appeared to be waving goodbye to the Villa supporters at the end of last season before his late summer drama.
Martinez has let in seven goals in the league during eight matches so far, conceding more than his 5.5 post-shot expected goals against (PSxG) metrics suggest he should have.
In the entirety of 2024/25 he was beaten marginally less than expected and the year before that he was one of the top performers in the division, saving nearly seven goals compared to the underlying numbers.
Villa face Bournemouth on Sunday before the international break, where Martinez will again join up with Lionel Scaloni’s squad in preparation for USA next summer.
