Image source: bbc.com
Emiliano Martinez is edging toward a defining moment at Aston Villa despite being hailed as “the world’s number one” at home matches. The Argentina goalkeeper has faced increased scrutiny since a failed move to Manchester United, with costly errors this season and a recent calf injury raising questions. Villa are expected to assess his future in the summer, with links to Inter Milan.
Emiliano Martinez at Villa crossroads after errors, injury and transfer talk
Aston Villa’s public address announcer still introduces Emiliano Martinez as the world’s number one, reflecting his status as a World Cup winner and two-time Yashin Trophy recipient. But Martinez has come under greater scrutiny since he did not get a move to Manchester United at the end of the summer transfer window. Sunday’s 2-0 win at Newcastle marked his 200th Premier League appearance for Villa, and he has 59 clean sheets for the club.
Martinez joined Villa for £17m in 2020 and has been among their standout performers, but this season has brought renewed questions. He appeared emotional after Villa’s final home game last season against Tottenham, and the club were open to letting him leave while looking at Brentford’s Mark Flekken among others. United manager Ruben Amorim wanted Martinez, but the club opted instead for Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, with United’s data suggesting the Belgian could become one of Europe’s best and representing a more logical financial and long-term decision.
Martinez was left out for a 3-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace on 31 August, the day before the transfer deadline, with Marco Bizot deputising. He returned after the international break in a 0-0 draw at Everton on 13 September, when Unai Emery called him “the best goalkeeper in the world” and said he had a “massive” commitment to Villa. Martinez has also had more than one late withdrawal this season, including two after warm-ups before matches against Brighton and Feyenoord.
The 33-year-old’s underlying numbers remain strong, with a 76.1% save rate described as the best in the league and a ranking of fifth on Opta’s goals-prevented list with 17. He has made 55 saves, and Villa’s total conceded this season includes eight goals with Bizot in goal. But Martinez has three mistakes leading to a goal, the highest in the league, including an error at Anfield in November that gifted Mohamed Salah a goal in a 2-0 Liverpool win, and a spill from a corner against Arsenal on 30 December that allowed Gabriel to score.
Last Sunday, he failed to catch or clear Dwight McNeil’s shot as Thierno Barry scored the winner for Everton. Martinez then missed Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League win at Fenerbahce with a calf injury, with Bizot keeping a clean sheet. Bizot, signed from Brest in the summer, has five clean sheets in 11 games this season but is 34 and not viewed as a long-term replacement. Martinez, contracted until 2029 after making 234 appearances for Villa, is being linked with Inter Milan, and the club are expected to assess his future in the summer.
