SMITH’S JOY AT MESSI EMI VOTE

ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith is happy goalkeeper Emi Martinez has won a massive thumbs-up from superstar

Lionel Messi.

The Argentine ace has become a fully paid-up member of the Villa stopper’s fan club after publicly declaring: “He’s one of the best in the world.”

That certainly backs Smith’s judgement in nicking Martinez off Arsenal for £17million this time last year.

Now he hopes he’s ready to step straight back into action against Wolves today after yet another week of international globetrotting.

The 29-year-old launched himself on the world stage in the summer when he saved three penalties in Argentina’s Copa America semi-final with Colombia.

He then went on to keep a clean sheet in the final as Messi and his men saw off Brazil.

Martinez clocked up his eighth clean sheet in 12 games in the

1-0 win over Peru before hopping onto a private jet to get back in time for Wolves.

Smith (above) said: “I think everybody knows what Messi thinks of him.

“He’s been trying to win a major tournament for a long period and Emi was a big part of why Argentina won the Copa America so he’s held in high esteem by Messi and all the Argentinians.

“I think the confidence he’s built since he came here has been excellent. He is looking a bargain but we knew we were getting a good goalkeeper.

“He’s probably surpassed all our expectations of what we thought he would do, and he’s growing in confidence every game which is obviously good for us.”

Smith expects Martinez to be fit and ready to play but is far from happy with the situation South American players find themselves in.

He added: “It’s a bit farcical. It’s unprecedented that FIFA allowed the South American World Cup qualifiers to be played within 48 hours of the Premier League fixture list. “You just don’t know where you are – it’s a nightmare. We’ve had Douglas Luiz as well who played 20 minutes for Brazil.”

Martinez looks certain to step straight back in for today’s home derby clash with Wolves but midfielder Luiz may well start on the bench.

Smith said: “We will speak to the players and the performance team but the fact that keepers aren’t running so much probably makes it a bit easier for them.”

Emiliano Buendia looks set to step back into the starting line-up with the Villa boss insisting the former Norwich man is ready to show just why he’s the club’s £33m record signing.

Smith said: “He’s a top player. He understands that he missed the Chelsea game when we changed systems. He’s ready to start when needed.”