Should Villa sell 'one of the crown jewels'?
"Emi Martinez speculation continues," announces the Aston Villa page of the Express & Star's website, which also carries two photographs of Martinez with his young family, apparently taken just a few hours apart. In one, all are beaming, at the grand opening of Mrs Martinez's new shop in Tamworth. In the other, they are taking in the adulation of the Villa fans after their final home game on Friday night, with Martinez looking wistfully into the stands. Seconds earlier, he had been seen apparently wiping away tears. Could this have been a farewell? Does this look to you like a family about to move to Saudi Arabia, or anywhere?Speculation is the way we pass the time until facts become clear and the biggest unknown variable in this situation is whether Villa will qualify for the Champions League next season.We might argue that Villa's needs for next season might not differ much either way. Their squad requires refreshment not wholesale upgrade. They proved competitive at the highest level, gave overall favourites Paris St-Germain a serious fright, and lasted longer in the Champions League than the Premier League champions.You can never have too many good players, but if Villa only end up replacing any departures with players of similar standard - younger, perhaps - there is every reason to think they can be equally competitive again. Ensuring sufficient squad depth would be important, especially if they go into the Europa or Conference Leagues, where they might play even more games, given the performance of English clubs this season.But there is no doubt that being in the Champions League would strengthen their position in two important ways: obvious financial muscle and football status. Being a Champions League club undoubtedly makes Villa more attractive to ambitious new players while their current squad, now proven at that level, surely want to stay there.Mindful of PSR regulations and how close Villa have had to operate to the line, this might mean some football realpolitik. Few will want a crown jewel like Martinez to go, just as there was disappointment when Villa sold Douglas Luiz last year. But, especially if they remain still sixth after Sunday, it may be that Villa's long-term interest will be better served by selling a player at their peak, and betting on their proven ability to effectively reinvest the proceeds.Would selling Martinez be a wise idea? Let us knowListen to full commentary of Manchester United v Aston Villa at 16:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio WM [95.6FM/DAB Birmingham/Freeview]Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
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