Aston Villa coach, Unai Emery, has confirmed that Emiliano Martinez is no longer Aston Villa’s vice-captain after a different player deputised for John McGinn on Thursday night.
The Argentina star, 33, has always led the Villans whenever captain McGinn has not been on the pitch.
So when the Scot was not named in Emery’s starting lineup for the European clash with their Israeli opponents, eyebrows were raised as Martinez did not lead the team out at Villa Park.
Instead, England international Ezri Konsa wore the captain’s armband.
Emery confirmed following the team’s 2-0 win that Martinez is no longer the club’s vice-captain, although did not state whether the decision was connected to the failed summer switch.
‘The first captain is John McGinn,’ Emery said via Birmingham Live. ‘We decided how we are, as well as managing the next captain.
‘Usually, we have another captain, Emi Martinez, as second captain. But now, after speaking with him, I prefer to get him back.
‘Konsa is the next one. Tyrone Mings, with Ollie Watkins too. Normally, we are managing it like that.’