Summary of Emiliano Martinez's Transfer Saga at Aston Villa

Throughout the whole transfer window Emiliano Martinez made it clear to Aston Villa that he wanted to leave this summer. Villa weren't going to stand in his way and if a suitable offer had arrived, the World Cup winner would have departed - but no offer came.

Let's breakdown the summary of events and what we know went on behind the scenes to Aston Villa.

Villa's Final Home Game

After the final whistle of Villa's last home game of the 24/25 campaign against Tottenham, Martinez was visibly upset waving to the Holte End as if it was a goodbye. He himself thought he would be leaving this summer and the Athletic 's Jacob Tanswell reported that Martinez even told team-mates and staff that he was moving.

His destination, however, was unclear. The Argentinian did not want to go to Saudi Arabia or Turkey and a move to Atletico Madrid never materialised as Jan Oblak remained at the club. Manchester United had been in discussions with Martinez's camp since January and that looked like they only way out.

Returning for Pre-Season

During the summer, the conversations between United and Martinez continued. Jacob Tanswell stated that Ruben Amorim spoke to Martinez outlining his intentions to make him the No 1 at Old Trafford. The 33-year-old even asked his international team-mate, Lisandro Martinez to speak highly of him to the United management team which he did.

Villa was planning for his departure with replacements lined up, including Joan Garcia, Lucas Chevalier and Senne Lammens. All who made moves to different clubs this summer. When he returned for pre-season, Martinez rejoined his Villa team-mates and played in the games against St. Louis City, Nashville, Roma and Villarreal. United's interest cooled in the first couple of weeks in August after they made an audacious loan bid for Martinez that was quickly rejected. It became more and more likely that he was now going to stay at Villa.

Crystal Palace Game and Deadline Day

Just as things started to die down, reports of Martinez moving to United resurfaced on the day of Villa's game against Crystal Palace. He was absent from the squad as he was not 100% focused. When Emery was asked about his future in build up to the match, he answered three questions with, "Marco Bizot", Villa's back-up goalkeeper. It was evident that Martinez's antics was frustrating Emery and his Villa team-mates, after Tyrone Mings made a comment in his post-match interview, "The players that want to be here, now is the time to stay calm." Villa's squad is certainly fractured with a number of players uncertain as to whether they would remain at Villa Park over the summer due to Villa's financial struggles. Martinez's behaviour only added fuel to the fire.

Yesterday, on Deadline Day, the expectation was that Martinez would leave as there seemed no way back for him after he expressed his clear desire to exit the club. Manchester United wanted a new goalkeeper and they had two targets. Senne Lammens who they had been in negotiations with for a couple of weeks trying to agree a deal with Antwerp. The other target was Martinez who only re-emerged as a potential option due to the difficulties in securing an agreement for Lammens. Jacob Tanswell stated that Martinez spent the day at Villa's training ground, Bodymoor Heath, waiting for a call to let him know that a move has been agreed and he should travel to Manchester. The call never came.

At 11:52 AM BST, transfer specialist, David Ornstein, reported that United had agreed a €21 million deal with Antwerp for Senne Lammens. Despite this announcement Martinez remained at Bodymoor Heath, hoping a call from Amorim would come, but it didn't. In fact, United never made a formal approach to Villa for him and so in reality and move was never close. Once the window had shut the two-time Yashin Trophy winner jetted off to Argentina for international duty.

Repairing Relationships

With his future now determined, at least until January, Martinez has a long way back to repair the relationships not only with the members of the Villa squad, but the supporters as well. It was only a year ago he signed a new long-term contract keeping him at the club until 2029, where he revealed his ambitions to win a trophy with Aston Villa.

After the international break, he will have to be re-integrated into the squad and supporters will anticipate some form of message or apology from him. The way Emery will respond to the situation will shape how fans also feel. However, it is important that everyone can put this saga behind them before the next match to Everton. Villa must get back on track and improve their performances and this situation cannot continue to loom over them.