Aston Villa first-team players Emi Buendia and Emi Martinez are reportedly flying to Croatia after Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Brazil was suspended.
Four Premier League players were charged with breaking COVID quarantine protocols as the authorities charged onto the pitch and stopped the Brazil vs Argentina game.
The match was immediately suspended as FIFA have confirmed they will be looking into the issue. But amidst all this, Aston Villa might be the biggest beneficiaries.
The two Aston Villa players will now be flying to Croatia instead of heading back to the UK. And this means they will be able to continue their training.
The report says: “Sky Sports News has been told Martinez and Buendia will fly to Croatia rather than the UK, so they can continue training before returning to England for their club.
“A trip straight back to the UK from South America would have meant 10 days in government hotel quarantine but stopping off for that period in a green list country means they can train and then travel back to the UK without quarantining.
https://twitter.com/FutbolBible/status/1434596400361361419
“It means Martinez and Buendia may only miss one Premier League game against Chelsea before being back in the country for Aston Villa’s game with Everton on September 18.”
Aston Villa take on Chelsea on Saturday in the Premier League and either way, the two Argentines will be miss this game.
But the Everton match is set to be a more evenly rivalled contest and the availability of Martinez and Buendia could be a big boost for Dean Smith.
Emiliano Martinez is the first-choice keeper for Villa so he will definitely start. Buendia has also shone in his first three outings for the club as the summer arrival has played 246 minutes in the league, scoring one goal.
