Aston Villa are set to be without their World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on Boxing Day against Liverpool.
Shot-stopper Martinez is poised to stay in South America on extended leave after Argentina beat France to lift the World Cup in Qatar. Martinez played a starring role in the triumph as Argentina won a penalty shoot-out against France in the final.
The ex-Arsenal ace,30, who has 26 caps, also made a vital last-gasp save with his leg in stoppage time of extra-time as the thriller finished 3-3.
Sources in Argentina expect the ace to stay in his homeland to savour and recover from the exhilarating victory alongside Lionel Messi.
Martinez is now due to miss Monday’s game at Villa Park when Villa will host Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool. It is a big blow to new boss Unai Emery who has won both his first two Premier League games.
But Villa’s Spanish coach is expected to give his blessing to the decision and will turn to experienced Swedish keeper Robin Olsen, 32, who has played in the club’s friendlies in the break.
Martinez, who cost £20million from Arsenal in 2020, enhanced his reputation in Doha in seven appearances. He claimed the Golden Glove award after helping Argentina to penalty shootout wins against the Netherlands and France.
After he led Argentina to glory, Martinez said post-match: "It's a moment that I always have to give to my teammates, they scored three goals against me and it hurt, but then I did everything right.
"It was a game of suffering, just two efforts against us and they drew level with us. One thing we said was that it was our destiny to suffer, we got 3-2 ahead again, and then they gave another penalty against us."
He then added of his exploits in the penalty shootout: "Then I did my thing, what I dreamed of, there could not be a World Cup that I have dreamed of so much."
Martinez concluded his interview by dedicating his successes to his family and those who helped him throughout his career: "To my family, I came from a very humble place, I left when I was very young to England and I want to dedicate it to them."
It is not yet known when the goalkeeper will return to England to play for Villa whose second game back is on Sunday January 1 at Spurs.
