With two losses and a draw in their last five Premier League games, Aston Villa have dropped off the pace a little.
Though they’re still just a point behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth place, they’re now six behind Arsenal in third and a growing injury list is going to make it difficult for Unai Emery’s side to bridge that gap.
The Spaniard has had his team playing some remarkable football this season, perhaps never better than when they completed dominated Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side at Villa Park.
Whilst the wheels haven’t yet come off, there does appear to have been a downturn in form and with Champions League football perhaps beyond them if they’re unable to turn things around quickly, the club have at least got their replacement for keeper, Emi Martinez, should the Argentinian World Cup winner decide to move on to pastures new.
According to Give Me Sport, Joe Gauci was recruited from Adelaide United for just such an eventuality.
It’s worth pointing out that Martinez hasn’t angled for a move away from the Villains at this point, but his expertise between the posts means he would be a useful hire for any side that is is next season’s Champions League.
He’s also at the right age – 31 – to still be able to be delivering exceptional performances for a good few years yet.