Unai Emery optimistic Youri Tielemans can feature for Aston Villa against Manchester United
Unai Emery has offered fresh optimism that Youri Tielemans can feature in Sunday's season-defining match at Old Trafford while refusing to rule out Emiliano Martinez's departure.
The Athletic revealed earlier this month that Aston Villa feared Tielemans, 28, could miss the rest of the season having sustained a calf injury.
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However, Emery confirmed on Friday that the Belgium midfielder may return for the must-win match against Manchester United, when Villa need a positive result to further their Champions League aspirations.
'He trained today, the first day he trained with the group, and tomorrow, he'll train again,' said Emery, speaking in his pre-match news conference. 'If he's feeling good and comfortable, more or less, without some doubt, he will be with the team and the squad for Sunday.'
Sixth-placed Villa head to Manchester knowing they will need to beat United while relying on the teams above — Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester City — to drop points if they are to finish in the Premier League top five.
Sunday's result will greatly influence the club's transfer plans this summer, though they will need to sell before June 30 regardless to satisfy the Premier League's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
Martinez's future has been a source of speculation since the 32-year-old goalkeeper was visibly upset after Villa's final home match of the season against Tottenham Hotspur last week, with interest received from Saudi Arabia and clubs in Europe.
Emery insisted Martinez was focused on playing his part on Sunday, refusing to confirm or deny when questioned on whether the Argentina international has asked to leave.
'He showed last week against Tottenham that he's focused,' said the Villa manager. 'He's performing very well.
'Some players have some speculation but my only speculation is to play Sunday, to be ready for Sunday and to get our best performances.
'I am speaking with him to focus each match. Then the consequence is coming — if we are playing next year in the Champions League, it's for everybody, very, very important. He has a contract (until 2029) with us.'
Villa sit sixth in the league, level on points with Chelsea and Newcastle but below them on goal difference.
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