Emiliano Martinez was named Man of the Match and called ‘excellent’ by Aston Villa’s official website after his goalkeeping display in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Brighton as the 28-year-old made nine saves and kept a clean sheet despite the Seagulls’ dominance on the night.
BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks was full of praise for Martinez, writing in his Team of the Week column: “The Argentine is looking every bit a top-four keeper and if he can’t achieve it with Villa I suggest he does it with someone else.”
Martinez joined Villa on a four-year deal from Arsenal last September and has gone on to make 22 appearances, conceding 24 goals and keeping 12 clean sheets (Transfermarkt). The Argentina-born goalkeepr has saved 79% of 105 shots on target faced and is performing six better than his expected goals conceded of 30.4 (FB Ref).
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There’s always a rush to talk up players impressing at clubs outside of the Champions League positions and Crooks is doing just that. Martinez has only been at Villa for five months and already he is being touted to leave. The 28-year-old left Arsenal in order to get regular first team football, so is he really rushing to join another European giant again only to sit on the bench?
Villa are eighth in the Premier League and just four points adrift of sixth-placed Liverpool, so they have an outside chance of finishing in a European spot come May. Martinez had six loan moves away from Arsenal in his 10-year stay with the north Londoners, too, so he prefers playing time over sitting on the bench of a big club.
Martinez regarded his move to Villa as a “step up” because he is finally getting regular playing time, so the Claret and Blues shouldn’t worry about losing him just yet.
That he is being talked up by Crooks means he’s doing something right on the pitch, but Villa are in a strong position, with his contract not expiring until 2024. No need to worry yet, fellow Villans.
