01/09/2025
It has been a frustrating summer for those of Aston Villa allegiance.
Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand, who arrived from French side Nice for £30m, has been the only major signing for Unai Emery's side.
And they could lose goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United and was left out of their squad in the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
It was Villa's second consecutive defeat in the league and they are also yet to score a goal this season.
Asked about Martinez before the game, Emery simply answered "Bizot" to each question, referring to Marco Bizot, who took the Argentina international's place in the starting line-up.
But with the Dutch keeper letting in three goals and an attack that has failed to fire so far, it looks like Emery is in for a difficult season at Villa Park.
Villa have conceded three or more goals in six of the 11 league games in which Martinez has not started since 2021.
During that period, the club have a 27.3% win rate without him starting, compared to 45.6% with him in goal.
Elsewhere, Guessand was given his first start against the Eagles, but was largely ineffective and withdrawn at half-time.
Though they were much improved after the restart, they failed to unlock a resolute Palace defence.
After the game, Emery once again stressed he needed new players, but with the Premier League's financial restrictions in play, it will be an anxious deadline day for Villa and their supporters.
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