VILLA’S EMI AWARD
Smith gets Martinez for £20m & backs Watkins to become a striking legend
EMILIANO MARTINEZ admitted that he could not turn down a “new challenge” at Aston Villa after ending his decadelong stay with Arsenal.
The Argentinian keeper no longer wanted to play second fiddle to Bernd Leno at the Emirates after catching the eye as a stand-in towards the end of last season.
Martinez, 28, helped Mikel Arteta’s side win the FA Cup and the Community Shield – which proved a triumphant farewell.
And Martinez, who heads to Villa Park in a £ 20million deal, said: “I’ve been at Arsenal 10, 11 years fighting for my spot. When I won the FA Cup and dth the C Community it Shield, I spoke to my family and said, ‘ It’s time to have a new challenge’.
“Then Aston Villa gave me the chance to fight for the No.1 spot and play loads of Premier League games and that’s why I decided to come here.
“I trust the process and I trust the manager’s playing style. I’ve been around in the UK f for 10 10, 11 years already l and I know Villa’s history and I know how big Villa is.”
Martinez is Villa’s third summer signing after Nottingham Forest full-back Matty Cash and Brentford striker Ollie Watkins – with Lyon forward Bertrand Traore set to follow.
And with Villa also tying down skipper Jack Grealish to a new five- year deal amid interest in the England star, it has been a good week for the club. Boss Dean Smith said: “We moved for Emi when we saw the opportunity.
“It is rare to be able to buy a top- class goalkeeper who hasn’t yet reached their peak age and who can therefore be a key player for our club for the long term.” Watkins is off the mark already after netting in Villa’s 3-1 Carabao Cup win at Burton on his competitive debut on Tuesday ( left).
It followed his winner in a friendly against Manchester United following his club- record £ 28m switch from Brentford. Smith said the Villa new boy is already on course to become one of the club’s great strikers.
“I told him not to even worry about the price tag,” he said.
“You are only worth what anybody is going to pay for you.
“I have no doubts he will score goals for us this season and be a very much- loved Aston Villa centre-forward.
“He knows how I like to play, he played centre-forward for me at Brentford.
“Ollie is a great character, personality and someone I have worked with before.
“He scored against Manchester United in a friendly on Saturday and was disappointed it didn’t add to his goal tally.
“Ollie will be pleased he has got one now that goes in the record books.”