Why Emi Martinez is missing from Aston Villa squad to face West Ham in FA Cup
by John Townley, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/john-townley/ · Birmingham LiveEmi Martinez has not been included in Aston Villa's squad to face West Ham in the FA Cup third round due to a small injury.
The goalkeeper was assessed on Friday morning, but Unai Emery didn't think it was a risk worth taking in starting him this evening.
Villa will play back-to-back away league games against Everton and Arsenal next week. Emery's side will play a total of seven matches in all competitions over the next three weeks.
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Robin Olsen takes Martinez's place in the team tonight, while Joe Gauci is the back-up 'keeper on the substitutes bench. Villa could let one of their reserve goalkeepers leave this month as Gauci has loan interest, while Danish club Copenhagen would like to sign Olsen permanently.
Gauci started both of Villa's Carabao Cup games earlier this season against Wycombe Wanderers and Crystal Palace, but Olsen was injured at the time.
The Sweden international then replaced Martinez at half-time in Villa's defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after Martinez suffered a hand injury.
Buy your Aston Villa 150th anniversary commemorative kit
Aston Villa have released a special commemorative kit to celebrate the club's 150th anniversary - and you can get your hands on one now.
The club is continuing its season-long celebration on Friday night when Unai Emery's side host West Ham in the FA Cup. To mark the fixture, which is nearly 150 years to the day of their first-ever recorded match, players will wear a one-off black kit.
It's the colour Villa first used for their kits before the transition to claret and blue colours. The shirts will also feature adidas' Aeroready technology as well as the famous three stripes in all black.