Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is expected to feature in the club’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna on Thursday after a swift recovery from a calf issue. The Argentina international withdrew from Villa’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday due to calf discomfort sustained during the warm-up, marking the third occasion this season he has pulled out before kickoff. However, Martinez returned to training on Wednesday, signaling his likely availability as Villa aim to extend their 3-1 aggregate lead and secure a place in the semi-finals.

Manager Unai Emery confirmed Martinez’s return to training, stating that the goalkeeper is "normally going to be available," with a final decision to be made on match day. The fitness of winger Jadon Sancho will also be monitored ahead of the fixture. Sancho has missed the last two games recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the recent international break. Emery described Sancho as a “fantastic player” who has been adapting well to Villa’s tactical setup and expressed hope that the player can regain consistency following his injury setbacks.

Emery, a four-time Europa League champion—winning consecutively with Sevilla from 2014 to 2016 and again with Villarreal in 2021—is pursuing a fifth title in the competition. He emphasized the significance of competing at this stage of the tournament, calling it a privilege to share the experience with his squad, the club, and its supporters.

Villa’s encounter with Bologna represents a crucial step towards European success, with the English side defending a two-goal lead from the first leg. Martinez’s potential return and Sancho’s fitness assessment will be key factors as Villa seek to advance further in the competition.