Unai Emery provides Emi Martinez injury update ahead of Fulham clash

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Unai Emery is optimistic that Emi Martínez will be back in action against Fulham this weekend. The goalkeeper was missing from Aston Villa's squad for the match against Bologna due to a muscle injury.

Marco Bizot stepped up in Martínez's absence on Thursday night, securing his second clean sheet for the club, having also played against Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Martínez has yet to make an appearance at Villa Park this season, having sat out the match against Crystal Palace at the end of last month amidst rumours about his future ahead of the transfer deadline.

However, he could make his first home appearance of the season this weekend, with Emery offering a positive injury update following the victory over Bologna.

"He has a small injury," the Villa boss confirmed. "He couldn't train yesterday and he was not available today.

"Hopefully, it's a minor issue – it was just a kick. Hopefully tomorrow or Saturday he can start training with us and be available for Sunday.

"But Marco Bizot played a fantastic game today. It's very important to use different players in different positions and for them to gain confidence, which Marco did today."

Villa are in the middle of a packed schedule with three games in the space of a week, hosting Fulham and Burnley in the Premier League either side of a Europa League journey to Feyenoord at De Kuip next Thursday.

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