By Aston Villa’s emphatic number one was stretchered off in Argentina’s World Cup Qualifier game against Colombia this evening.
Words: Regan Foy | @findfoy
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Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was forced to be stretchered off the pitch in Argentina’s World Cup Qualifier against Colombia this evening after a bad foul by Everton’s Yeri Mina.
Martinez had been showcasing his ability for Argentina in his second appearance for the side before the Colombian centre-back’s elbow collided with the goalkeepers face.
Emiliano then lay dortmant on the floor for some time – it is unknown as to whether the ‘keeper was knocked out by the initial impact – before receiving treatment for a prolonged period, around eight minutes.
Before it was decided the goalkeeper would need to leave the field of play, he was awake and talking to team-mates, who attempted to comfort him by holding his hand.
Martinez’ was hurt initially by the momentum of Mina’s challenge for the ball, but as he was challenging for an aerial ball, the impact of his landing is likely to have hurt too.
While the injury could be concussion, there is every chance that the injury could be more serious and Argentina and Aston Villa fans will have to await further assessment of the goalkeeper following the game.
Fans will be hoping that Martinez, who won Aston Villa’s Player of the Season award for his displays across his debut season, will be fit and raring to go for the season ahead.
Argentina were leading the game 2-0 at the time of Martinez’ injury, before he was replaced by Agustin Marchesin. Martinez left the pitch wearing a neck brace, likely as a precaution, but that is still not a good sign.
With Tom Heaton leaving earlier this summer to rejoin Manchester United, Lovre Kalinic likely to leave after a torrid time at the club and Jed Steer’s poor previous injury record – it could mean that Aston Villa target another goalkeeper to act as an understudy during this window should the injury be serious.
Fingers are crossed that the Aston Villa first-choice keeper is okay.
EDIT: South American media are now reporting that Emiliano is ‘fine’, and will not be sent for further tests.
