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No Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emi Martinez

An emotional Emiliano Martinez after the full-time whistle against Tottenham, Aston Villa's last home game of the season
An emotional Emiliano Martinez after the full-time whistle against Tottenham, Aston Villa's last home game of the season

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could not give any assurances over the future of Emiliano Martinez after the goalkeeper was in tears following his side's 2-0 win over Europa League finalists Tottenham.

The Argentina international has been linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer - Saudi Arabia has been touted as a possible destination - and he was emotional at full-time of Villa’s final home game of the season.

Asked about the 32-year-old’s future, Emery could only say "we will see", with Villa forward Leon Bailey also in tears.

"Of course, it is the last match (of the season) here, and I don’t know," the Spaniard said.

"We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field, at the moment they are responding and they are so, so focused in how we are preparing and playing each match.

"Of course, Leon Bailey is playing now less because other players are responding very well. They are performing well.

"And we are going to play Manchester (United) for the last three points. And for us it will be very important again, to prepare, to be focused everybody.

"And of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season."

Second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara strengthened Villa’s hopes of returning to the Champions League next term.

Villa’s memorable run to the quarter-finals of this season’s competition gave them the taste for more and they boosted their hopes with an eighth win from their last nine Premier League games.

However, Chelsea’s win over Manchester United later on Friday night saw Villa drop to fifth and they will sink further if sixth-placed Manchester City win their game in hand.

Emery added: "It’s not in our hands. We are winning. But other teams are as well, they are being demanding, and they are getting their points."

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