Unai Emery: Emi Martinez's Aston Villa return 'very good news'

Martínez came back in goal following a failed transfer move to Manchester United during the transfer window. Despite Villa's ongoing struggles - the team remains without a goal after four league games - Emery was pleased with the goalkeeper's performance and the progress the squad is making.

"We struggled with his situation, but we have to get feelings together and feel the collective objective," Emery said. "Today his comeback has been fantastic. We have to protect him and feel him inside the group so he is comfortable and confident."

Villa managed only one shot on target in a match low on clear chances, but Emery remained optimistic about the team's development.

"Of course we are not scoring, we are not winning. We will need to win, but this point will help us for the next matches," he said. "We have to try to get offensively tactically better, help the strikers get into better positions to score, get confidence winning."

Striker Ollie Watkins was quiet on the night, but Emery urged patience.

"Every player has to feel comfortable. For Ollie Watkins, calm, keep working and try to protect him," he said. "We are not scoring and the strikers are the first point we are watching, but I am not worried for him especially."

Martínez, who was left out of Villa's lineup before the international break amid transfer speculation, expressed his commitment on social media after the game.

"When I wear the crest, I give nothing less than my all," he wrote on X. 

READ MORE: Defender Rico Lewis extends contract at Man City to 2030