Following Aston Villa’s 2-1 stumble against Tottenham, Emiliano Martínez has issued a public apology and a rallying cry for the squad to find their footing ahead of Thursday’s crucial fixture.
- The Argentine posted on social media: “Worst performance by far this season. We have to put things right on Thursday”
- Martinez urged directors, managers, fans and players to unite for the Forest second leg
- Netflix has announced a film about his life, launching on 28 May
- The documentary features Lionel Messi, Scaloni and intimate family footage from Argentina and England
Aston Villa’s shot-stopper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez did not mince words following a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. In a candid social media post addressed to supporters, the Argentine international labeled the display the “worst performance by far this season,” sparking a call for immediate redemption.
The loss at Villa Park, which saw Spurs snatch all three points courtesy of goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison, has left Unai Emery’s side searching for answers at a critical juncture of the campaign.
“Worst performance by far”. Martinez Takes Responsibility
Emiliano Martinez did not hide behind excuses after Sunday’s deeply disappointing 2-1 defeat to Tottenham at Villa Park.
“Worst performance by far this season,” Martinez posted. “We have to put things right on Thursday night. We need to be all together for that game: directors, managers, fans and players to get the win and play a European final. UTFV.”
A collective call to arms, specifically naming every stakeholder group at the club, that reflects the leadership qualities that have made the 33-year-old such an irreplaceable presence at Villa Park throughout his six years in the Midlands.
The timing and tone of his message carries enormous significance. Three consecutive defeats. Boos from the Villa Park faithful on Sunday evening.
A Europa League semi-final second leg requiring two goals against Nottingham Forest in four days. Furthermore, Martinez understands better than anyone what Thursday represents and his public statement is the clearest possible signal that the response must be immediate, total, and collective.
The Netflix film. A life worth telling
Beyond Sunday’s disappointment, the week has brought genuinely exciting news for Martinez and his global fanbase.
Netflix has announced the launch of Dibu Martínez: The Kid Who Stops Time, a feature film about the goalkeeper’s extraordinary journey from Mar del Plata to World Cup glory releasing on the platform on 28 May.
Blending animation inspired by illustrations from Liniers, personal archival footage, and intimate interviews with key figures from his life, the film traces Martinez’s path from a dream-filled childhood to the “Dibu” the world now knows.
Featured voices include Lionel Messi, national team manager Lionel Scaloni, and childhood friends and family members who witnessed the journey from its very beginning.
Of course, at the film’s heart is a deeply personal and emotional story: a young boy who discovers the power to stop time, guided by conversations with a football that reminds him of every challenge still ahead.
Shot across Argentina and England in 2025, the production captures the resilience, determination, and inner strength that have defined Martinez’s remarkable career.
Thursday first. Istanbul the dream
The Netflix film launches on 28 May the same week as the Europa League final in Istanbul.
That timing feels entirely appropriate for a goalkeeper whose save against Igor Jesus at the City Ground on Thursday may yet prove the moment that keeps Villa’s dream alive.
Martinez has apologised. He has demanded a collective response. Villa Park must deliver on Thursday.
