Roberto Martinez hints he’s about to call up Aston Villa’s Bjorn Engels

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Aston Villa defender Bjorn Engels has impressed so far this season.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has been quoted by Nieuws365 in Belgium as saying that he thinks Aston Villa defender Bjorn Engels is doing ‘very well’, whilst hinting that he could be called up for the Belgium squad.

The new league season is only just underway, but there is already an international break on the horizon after this coming weekend’s games.

Belgium will in EURO 2020 qualifying action, first taking on San Marino before heading to face Scotland in their second game of the international program.

Martinez will be weighing up his options, and he has major issues in the heart of his defence, with Jan Vertonghen out of nick at Spurs, Vincent Kompany injured and Dedryck Boyata yet to play for Hertha Berlin.

HLN report that Martinez is considering handing a first cap to a new player, and whilst Koln youngster Sebastiaan Bornauw is one name in the frame, Engels appears to be the favourite.

The 24-year-old has starred for Aston Villa since signing from Reims for £9m (Sky Sports) over the summer, already forming a strong partnership with Tyrone Mings.

Engels, who stands at 6ft 4in tall, has yet to win his first cap for Belgium despite impressing over the years, and Martinez has now praised him.

Martinez feels that Engels is doing very well and is standing up to being tested more in the Premier League, hinting that he may well be that new player in the squad.

“Engels is doing very well in his first matches in the Premier League,” said Martinez. “As a central defender you will be tested more there, and he always received good reports. His coach is also very enthusiastic. He was calm and confident,” he added.