Zion Suzuki poised for Aston Villa debut as Emi Martinez situation explained

New boy Zion Suzuki is poised to make his Villa debut in Sunday’s Premier League opener at Brighton after Unai Emery confirmed Emi Martinez has asked to leave.

The boss described the signing of Suzuki, who arrived this week from Parma, as “not for the future, but for now” with the Japan international set to be given a chance to claim the No.1 jersey.

Martinez, who has only just returned to training following the World Cup, is not ready to feature at the Amex Stadium but could leave the club in any case before the end of the transfer window.

That is despite talks over a move to Juventus breaking down last week.

Speaking on Friday, Emery confirmed Martinez had intimated his wish to depart, just as he did last summer when a desired move to Manchester United never materialised.

For now, Emery suggested the 33-year-old will battle the new signing for a starting spot.

Emery said: “We can share both. This scenario is a bad scenario? Not. We have two excellent keepers.

“We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now. He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level.

“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career, not just now and even last year, and he was thinking in case he had a possibility to change his challenges, but he stayed and performed fantastic.

“This year, again, he transmitted to us for a new challenge, and we signed Suzuki to replace him. But the scenario we have is that we have two great goalkeepers.”