Unai Emery maintains Emiliano Martinez will stay at Aston Villa beyond January

The Argentina goalkeeper has been linked with Bayern Munich since winning the World Cup in Qatar

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez poses with the best goalkeeper award from Qatar 2022 (PA Wire)

Unai Emery has ruled out allowing any of Aston Villa’s key players to leave in the winter transfer window.

Goalkeeper Emi Martinez was reportedly of interest to Bayern Munich after winning the World Cup but manager Emery is adamant that, while he could allow fringe figures to go, Villa’s stars will remain at the club.

Emery is also considering making his first signings since replacing Steven Gerrard and said: “Now is coming the transfer window in January.

“The players are focused here but we are speaking about the possibility of some changes. We are going to decide in the next week about the possibility some players can leave and some players come.

“The important players I am not thinking they are going to leave.”

Emery also believes summer signing Diego Carlos could be fit to return in February after six months on the sidelines with a snapped Achilles.

The former Sevilla centre-back was hurt in his second appearance for the club, August’s win over Everton, but will resume full training soon.

Emery added: “It was a tough injury he had but he is close to start working with the team on the pitch. I think the next month in January we will not see him play. In February, he could be OK.”