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Aston Villa join race for wantaway Liverpool star
Aston Villa wrapped up their Premier League home campaign in style last week, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Villa Park.
Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara were the unlikely heroes, each getting on the scoresheet to help secure three points and push Unai Emery’s side into fifth place in the Premier League table. With one game remaining, Villa are still in the running for a Champions League spot. A win over Manchester United on the final day—combined with favourable results elsewhere—could see them return to Europe’s top competition for the second season running.
But while the mood was mostly celebratory, the game ended on a more emotional note. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez appeared tearful at the final whistle, waving to the Villa Park crowd in a way that strongly suggested a goodbye.
The Argentine has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent months. Manchester United, Barcelona, and clubs from the Saudi Pro League have all reportedly shown interest in the World Cup winner, with many expecting him to move on this summer.
Asked about Martinez’s future after the match, Emery was non-committal.
“We will see,” he said. “Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”
Kelleher Lined Up as Replacement
Caoimhin Kelleher. (Getty)
According to The Sun, Villa are already preparing for life after Martinez and have identified Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher as a potential replacement.
The Republic of Ireland international, who has also been linked with Chelsea, has made clear his intention to leave Anfield in search of regular first-team football. Despite performing admirably when called upon, the 26-year-old has been unable to dislodge Alisson Becker as Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper.
“I want to go and be a number one and play week in, week out,” Kelleher said in September. “From the outside looking in, it looks like [Liverpool] have made a decision to go in a different direction.”
Liverpool have already signed Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in a deal worth £30 million, adding further weight to the belief that Kelleher will be moved on.
Villa are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. New Reds boss Arne Slot is said to have accepted that Kelleher will depart this summer, and sources suggest the player prefers staying in the Premier League over a move abroad.
With Champions League football potentially on offer and Martinez seemingly on his way out, Aston Villa could prove to be an ideal destination for Kelleher to finally claim a number-one shirt of his own.
