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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has warned Emiliano Martinez that he must readjust to life back at his club as quickly as possible.
As reported by the Metro, Emery is keen for his goalkeeper to be emotionally ready for Villa after lifting the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
Aston Villa goalkeeper must ‘adapt quickly’
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Martinez was a standout in Qatar, helping his nation lift the prestigious trophy in a thrilling final against France.
The shot-stopper has since returned to England, and is expected to be available for the Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day.
Martinez missed Villa’s first game back after the World Cup, a 3-1 home loss to Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Emery is, however, expecting his number one to be ready for the Spurs test, saying: “He is going to be available physically and his mentality we are going to check.
“Hopefully he is coming 100% focused on Aston Villa. Of course he needs to adapt quickly again in our work.
“When Emiliano is coming back (he has) to adapt again in a new way with us. Congratulations to him and now we are here thinking of our step ahead with Aston Villa.”
Emery proud of Argentina shot-stopper
Emery added that he and indeed all associated with Aston Villa are proud of their goalkeeper. But the boss previously admitted that he needed to speak with the goalkeeper following various World Cup celebration controversies.
The Argentine called for a minute’s silence for losing finalist Kylian Mbappe during his team’s dressing-room celebrations in Qatar, and posed with a doll depicting the player.
The goalkeeper also made a rude gesture with the trophy he won for being the competition’s best goalkeeper.
“For us we are proud of him,” said Emery. “Every Aston Villa supporter must be proud of him. We have in our team and our squad a winner of a World Cup, which he deserves. He is pushing his teammates on the training ground every day.
“When he is coming back we have to try to introduce him again into our every day and to be positive to use his energy and trying to use his mentality to help us.”
Aston Villa boss ready for Spurs threat
Aston Villa are currently 12th in the Premier League table, with new boss Emery winning two and losing two of his first four matches in charge.
The Spaniard took over from Steven Gerrard in November, with his side defeating Manchester United 3-1 in the league in his opening game.
Villa then lost 4-2 to United in the League Cup fourth round, before a 2-1 league win at Brighton. They then lost to Liverpool in the aforementioned Boxing Day meeting with the Reds.
Emery is well aware of the threat that teams coached by Antonio Conte possess. The north London outfit go into the game sitting fourth in the table.
“I know Antonio Conte’s teams,” added Emery. “He is so competitive and a successful coach in Italy and England as well. They are so competitive and with very fast, strong, players. They like transition and have very good players.”
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