Aston Villa did the job in the Europa League against Maccabi Tel Aviv (2-0), but the main issue was not on the field. The real shock occurred at the choice of captain. With John McGinn on the bench, everyone expected Emiliano Martinez to naturally take the armband. Spoiler: not at all.
Emiliano Martinez wanted to leave… But without an offer, he stayed at Aston Villa this season. A setback for the player, but especially a huge burden for his coach.
To everyone’s surprise, Unai Emery skipped the Argentine World Cup champion to hand the armband to Ezri Konsa. A choice that, for the English press, is not trivial: Martinez is paying for his flirtation with Manchester United last summer.
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He wanted to head to Old Trafford, but United preferred Senne Lammens… and Emery has clearly not digested the episode.
Captain? It’s over for Dibu Martinez
As a result: Dibu is downgraded, retro… whatever you want. The coach explained it simply: “Yes, Martinez was vice-captain, but I decided to change. Konsa is ahead.” A polite way of saying: zero loyalty = zero armband.
Martinez remains the number 1 goalkeeper, but captain? That’s finished. And with Emery, this kind of sanction is never a mere detail. The Argentine better toe the line if he doesn’t want to drop another level.
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