In a recent edition of BBC Sport’s Match of the Day (transcripted by The Daily Mirror), Arsenal legend Ian Wright was full of praise for Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez. Wright said,
“I was devastated to see him leave Arsenal, but he wants to be Argentina number one.
“He has five clean sheets from nine Premier League games and he is just a very good goalkeeper.
“He has done brilliantly at Villa and he is helping them to win games.”
Martinez’s Fantastic Start To His Aston Villa Career
The Argentine goalie has made a dream start to life at Villa Park as he has put in several dominant displays in goal for Dean Smith’s side over the past few months. Martinez has made ten appearances for the Villans this term, shipping in 13 goals and securing five clean sheets in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old has often opted to go long with his passes and is averaging 6.8 long balls per game in league football. Hence, it explains why his pass success rate is only 60.8% in the English top-flight this season (stats via whoscored).
The way things are going for him, the Argentine’s manager Smith will now be dreaming of a top-half finish in the league table at the end of this campaign. If Martinez can maintain his high standards in the coming months, then the Villans could very well achieve that feat next year.
What Does The Argentine Sensation Offer On The Pitch?
Martinez is a commanding presence inside his penalty box as he can use his strong 1.95m frame to come out of his lines to collect crosses or loose balls when needed. He is usually quite clever with his positioning and is not afraid to clear his lines when in danger of being chased down by the opposition.
What has made him such a joy to watch at Villa Park is his ability to pull off some world-class stops at the back using his fast reflexes and quick diving. However, the Argentine’s ball-distribution still has a lot of room for improvement as he can sometimes send the ball out of play with his goal-kicks.
Can Martinez Maintain His Good Form Under Smith’s Stewardship?
At the moment, Martinez is in the form of his life, which has helped the Villans to bag some important wins in the Premier League in recent weeks. It seems like the Argentine talent is gradually maturing into a top goalkeeper as he has shown time and again this season that he is not just a flash in the pan but has what it takes to perform at a high-level week in week out. So there is no doubt that the future is bright for him at Villa Park under the watchful eyes of Smith.
