Villa are understood to be weighing up whether to listen to offers for Martínez, who came close to leaving the club last summer amid interest from Atlético Madrid and Manchester United, reports the Daily Mail.
Although no concrete bid materialised at the time, leading to an uneasy truce, there is a growing feeling that this summer could finally bring a departure for the World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
That situation has prompted Villa to explore potential replacements, with Trafford emerging as a leading candidate despite a frustrating campaign since his move to Manchester City.
The 23-year-old arrived with high expectations but saw his pathway to regular football blocked following the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, leaving him largely confined to a backup role.
Trafford has made just 15 senior appearances across all competitions this season and has featured sparingly in the Premier League, clocking only limited minutes despite his reputation as one of England’s brightest goalkeeping prospects.
However, his stock remains high, underlined by his recent senior debut for England national team during the latest international break.
Villa’s interest suggests they view Trafford as a long-term option capable of developing into a No.1, particularly if Martínez departs and leaves a significant void in both leadership and experience.
Replacing Martínez would represent a major shift for Villa, given his influence since arriving from Arsenal and his role in the club’s recent progress domestically and in Europe.
For now, no final decision has been made, but with Trafford’s situation unresolved at City and Martínez’s future once again in doubt, the goalkeeping picture at Villa Park is shaping up to be one of the key storylines of the summer.