Latest Update On The Injury Status Of Aston Villa Goalkeeper: Should They Keep Him Beyond This Summer?

Emiliano Martínez delivered one of the more quietly heroic performances of the European season when he kept a clean sheet for Aston Villa in the Europa League final against Freiburg, despite having fractured the ring finger on his right hand during the pre-match warm-up. The goalkeeper confirmed he played through a broken finger during the 3-0 final triumph, with medical examinations later revealing a small fracture in the ring finger of his right hand. Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, reporting for TyC Sports, via Sport Witness, brought some relief to the camp. He confirmed that no surgery would be required, with the recovery timeline estimated at around 20 days.

Aston Villa Keeper Martínez Manages Ongoing Recovery Ahead of World Cup

Since then, Martínez has joined up with the Argentina squad in Kansas City ahead of the World Cup. Argentine newspaper Olé reported that he is still wearing significant protection on his right hand at the training camp. He remains absent from friendly action prior to the tournament, as he still needs to complete his recovery from the small fracture.

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The technique being used is “buddy taping”, where the injured finger is strapped to an adjacent one to stabilise it during the bone-healing process. Martínez has been ruled out of both upcoming friendly matches for Argentina, meaning he will miss games against Honduras and Iceland. Despite this, medical staff remain optimistic about his recovery timeline, and there is confidence that he will be available once the World Cup begins. Argentina open their campaign against Algeria on 17 June.

Aston Villa’s Star Sits Out Warm-Up Games

Martínez is expected to serve as the starting goalkeeper for the defending champions, although there is a slight chance he will not fully overcome the injury in time. If he cannot start, his place could be taken by Gerónimo Rulli or Juan Musso. Regardless, the broader picture remains encouraging. The Aston Villa number one pushed through serious discomfort to win a trophy, and the medical consensus suggests the injury carries no long-term consequences.

Should Aston Villa Keep Martínez Next Season?

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MAY 20: Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa celebrates with his winners medal following the team’s victory in the UEFA Europa League Final 2026 match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa FC at Besiktas Park on May 20, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

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Here is where the conversation becomes genuinely interesting. Villa are now reviewing Martínez’s contract situation and have begun quietly preparing for life without their 33-year-old, with Liverpool reportedly eyeing him as a long-term successor to Alisson. Current reports suggest Martínez looks likely to move on this summer, having failed to do so last January, with Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Moritz Nicolas identified as a top replacement target.

But selling him now would be a mistake. The man just played a European final on a broken finger and barely flinched. That is not the behaviour of someone going through the motions. Yes, he is 33, and yes, his relationship with supporters became strained after the Manchester United speculation last summer.

However, the Europa League final reminded everyone what Martínez brings, not just the saves but the psychological pressure he carries for a squad entering the Champions League for only the second time. Replacing that leadership cheaply, with a backup option from the Bundesliga, feels like a gamble that does not match the ambition Aston Villa are rightly projecting right now.