Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez went off at half time in the 5-0 thrashing of Hibernian in the Europa Conference League qualifier first leg.
Travelling to Easter Road, it was the Villains’ first game in Europe for over ten years.
Any potential nerves were gone when Ollie Watkins opened the scoring after 17 minutes. A great header into the far corner.
He had his second 15 minutes later to make it two, before Leon Bailey made it three before half time.
Martinez went off to be replaced by Robin Olsen at half time which worried Villa fans.
It didn’t have an effect on the game however as Watkins claimed his hattrick, just minutes into the second half.
Bertrand Traore came on and won a penalty, coolly converted by Douglas Luiz, to make it five.
Despite the huge win, Villa fans did have some worries about their number one and his fitness.
What has Unai Emery said about Emi Martinez?
It will be some what good news for the Villa as it appears the keeper was substituted as a precaution.
Discussing the issue Emery said: “He told us in the first half that he had a small pain.
“We didn’t want to take a risk with him and we decided to play with Robin Olsen in the second half.”
If Martinez’s injury is worse than first thought then Olsen will become Villa’s only senior goalkeeper.
It isn’t lost on the Villa manager that reinforcements would be needed: “We need two goalkeepers and more, Filip Marschall is on the bench and could come, hopefully not.
“We need to be ready with different goalkeepers.”
Games without the Argentine number one could be tough as he is a top player and arguably the Villains’ most important.
