World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez has been urged to use his “energy” to inspire Aston Villa on his return on Sunday.
The goalkeeper came back to Villa on Thursday after lifting the World Cup in Qatar with Argentina. He is now set to line up opposite Spurs’ French shot-stopper Hugo Lloris, who lost the penalty shoot-out after a thrilling 3-3 final.
Unai Emery gave Martinez, 30, extra time off to celebrate in his homeland but wants him back at his best on Sunday Emery will make a final check on Martinez on Saturday before deputy Robin Olsen makes way following Villa’s 3-1 home loss on Boxing Day to Liverpool.
Emery, who had previously said he would urge Martinez to "control his emotions" in future in a meeting about his Qatar behaviour, assessed: “We have in our team and our squad a winner of a World Cup which he deserves.
"He played amazing. For us we are proud of him and every Aston Villa supporter must be proud of him. Congratulations to him and now we are here thinking of our step ahead with Aston Villa.
“Emiliano is coming back to adapt again in a new way with us. Of course he needs to adapt quickly in our work. He is going to be available physically and his mentality we are going to check.
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"Hopefully he is coming 100% focused on Aston Villa. He is a very competitive goalkeeper. He is pushing his team-mates on the training ground every day. We have to try to introduce him again and to be positive to use his energy and his mentality to help us.”
Villa are looking to bounce back from their first Premier League defeat under Emery. But they have only won once on the road in eight attempts this term after Emery masterminded a win at Brighton.
Villa’s Spanish coach is under no illusions their away form must improve if they are to climb the table. He added: “When we are at home we are with our supporters feeling well and have a very good connection with them.
"Our attitude and performance is going well at home. Away we won in Brighton but really our challenge is away to be competitive and keep our same mentality as when we are playing at home.
"Tactically to be strong and defensively as well to keep being together and stronger than they were doing during the season. We are going to prepare as best as possible for the match at Tottenham.
"We know it is going to be very difficult but we want to go one step ahead and to fight and to compete. Tottenham is the next challenge and a tough challenge but I am optimistic to work to try to help this club and those players to be able to fight and to win against them.”
