ASTON VILLA boss Unai Emery expects Emiliano Martinez to be available for the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna this evening.

The Argentina goalkeeper pulled out of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Nottingham Forest after feeling his calf in the warm-up – the third time this season he has withdrawn before kick-off.

But he was back in training yesterday and is likely to be fit as Villa look to book their spot in the semi-final, defending a 3-1 first-leg lead.

“Today he is training with us, Emiliano Martinez,” Emery said at a press conference yesterday.

“Normally, he is going to be available for tomorrow. And tomorrow we will decide.”

Villa will also assess Jadon Sancho, who has missed the last two games with a shoulder problem picked up in the international window.

“He is coming back and, of course, he is a fantastic player,” Emery said.

“He needs to be consistent. I think he has been demanding and he adapted in our structure, progressively getting better.

“It’s a pity in the last two weeks he’s been injured because he finished before the break fantastic.

“And now we are playing matches to check everything and to get our objectives collectively.

“Individually, hopefully, we can get the best of him. This is our challenge as well.”

Emery is a four-time winner of the Europa League – from 2014-16 with Sevilla and the 2021 edition with Villarreal – and is sniffing a fifth crown.

“To play in Europe and to play a quarter-final is a privilege,” he added. “I am sharing it with the players, with the club and with the supporters and enjoying it.

“I like it a lot to play in Europe and I’m so excited about how we are getting the last matches in the Premier League and how we are competing in the Europa League, I’m enjoying it a lot.

“I know tomorrow is a challenge but it’s a match we must be really focused on and respectful of. I am enjoying today, I will be enjoying this afternoon, this evening, I’m going to enjoy tomorrow morning.

“Each moment we are in the process, preparing the games, I am so, so happy. I am trying to share it with the players and the supporters.”