Why is Emiliano Martinez suspended for Aston Villa’s Premier League opener against Newcastle?

Emiliano Martinez will not be between the sticks for Aston Villa when they open up their new Premier League campaign this weekend. Villa host Newcastle in the first Saturday lunchtime kick-off of the 2025/26 campaign, with live and exclusive coverage from talkSPORT. Martinez will have an extra few days to prepare for the new seasonGetty Unai Emery’s side ended last season in sixth and will now be eyeing a return to the Champions League with a top five finish. However, they will be without one of their most key stars in Martinez as the goalkeeper faces an extra weekend off this summer. Why is Martinez suspended against Newcastle? Martinez won’t play in matchweek 1 due to a one-game suspension. The World Cup winner was shown a straight red card in Villa’s 2-0 loss at Manchester United on the final day of last season. He was dismissed by referee Thomas Bramall on the cusp of half-time for barging into Rasmus Hojlund whilst he was on a counter-attack. Marco Asensio was replaced by substitue goalkeeper Robin Olsen for the second half, which ended in a controversial defeat for Villa. Morgan Rogers put Villa ahead but the goal was disallowed as he was deemed to have kicked the ball out of the hands of Altay Bayindir. Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen then scored United’s two goals, and Villa ended up missing out on Champions League qualification. After Emery and co beat Tottenham 2-0 a week prior, Martinez was in tears and cast doubt over his future at at the club. “We will see,” the Villa boss said when asked about the Argentine. “Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. A clumsy foul outside his area saw Martinez sent offGetty Ten-man Villa were then beaten to end their hopes of Champions League footballGetty “We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.” Martinez was later linked with a summer exit as talkSPORT reported interest from United and Atletico Madrid. The 32-year-old has also had lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, but sources close to the goalkeeper say he would prefer to stay in Europe. But as it stands, Martinez could remain a Villa player for this season. Amid his suspension, Marco Bizot could be set to start in goal for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday. The Dutchman signed from Stade Brestois earlier in the summer, with Olsen leaving for Malmo FF after four seasons in the Premier League. Martinez has been one of Villa’s most important players in recent seasonsGetty

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Emiliano Martinez will not be between the sticks for Aston Villa when they open up their new Premier League campaign this weekend.

Villa host Newcastle in the first Saturday lunchtime kick-off of the 2025/26 campaign, with live and exclusive coverage from talkSPORT.

Unai Emery’s side ended last season in sixth and will now be eyeing a return to the Champions League with a top five finish.

However, they will be without one of their most key stars in Martinez as the goalkeeper faces an extra weekend off this summer.

Martinez won’t play in matchweek 1 due to a one-game suspension.

The World Cup winner was shown a straight red card in Villa’s 2-0 loss at Manchester United on the final day of last season.

He was dismissed by referee Thomas Bramall on the cusp of half-time for barging into Rasmus Hojlund whilst he was on a counter-attack.

Marco Asensio was replaced by substitue goalkeeper Robin Olsen for the second half, which ended in a controversial defeat for Villa.

Morgan Rogers put Villa ahead but the goal was disallowed as he was deemed to have kicked the ball out of the hands of Altay Bayindir.

Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen then scored United’s two goals, and Villa ended up missing out on Champions League qualification.

After Emery and co beat Tottenham 2-0 a week prior, Martinez was in tears and cast doubt over his future at at the club.

“We will see,” the Villa boss said when asked about the Argentine. “Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know.

“We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”

Martinez was later linked with a summer exit as talkSPORT reported interest from United and Atletico Madrid.

The 32-year-old has also had lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, but sources close to the goalkeeper say he would prefer to stay in Europe.

But as it stands, Martinez could remain a Villa player for this season.

Amid his suspension, Marco Bizot could be set to start in goal for the visit of Newcastle on Saturday.

The Dutchman signed from Stade Brestois earlier in the summer, with Olsen leaving for Malmo FF after four seasons in the Premier League.