UNAI’S E M I G LO VE AFFAIR
Mart has 10 more years at the top
UNAI EMERY reckons Emi Martinez has another decade at the top and will only improve after being named the world’s best goalkeeper.
The Aston Villa ace won the Lev Yashin trophy at the Ballon d’or ceremony.
Martinez, 31, starred for Argentina in their World Cup triumph which culminated in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over France in December.
Villa boss Emery, whose side go to Forest today, is confident the keeper has his best years ahead of him.
He said: “At 31, Emi is still a young man and I think growing in maturity.
“This only increases with experience. You can feel better as you grow older as you face each moment with more confidence.
“Pepe Reina was playing here at Villa in the pandemic and he was 36-37.
“He is still playing now aged 41. He’s being competitive and delivering performances for Villarreal. I think players now can extend their careers to a high level – both as goalkeepers and outfield players.” Martinez was booed by sections of the crowd in Paris on Monday after courting controversy with some of his celebrations in the aftermath of the win over France.
But Emery says the player is determined to build on his success for his country at club level.
The signs are certainly promising with Villa heading to Nottingham on the back of five wins from their last six Premier League matches.
It leaves them in a handy position for a charge at a Champions League spot – and
they are among the favourites to win the Europa Conference League.
The Spaniard added: “Emi wants to achieve something with Aston Villa in the same way as he achieved something with Argentina.
“To be with a club playing in the best competition possible, here in the Premier League of course.
“And then the next step with Aston Villa is to try and be a contender for a trophy.
“And then to be a contender for a trophy in Europe.”
Ambitious Martinez was linked with European giants Bayern Munich after his World Cup heroics – but has made it clear he is intent on fulfilling his ambitions in the Second
City. Emery added: “I like it a lot when players speak about what they are feeling, what they want to achieve individually and collectively.
“Some are more shy than others but Emi Martinez is always very demanding of himself. In front of other players he is always sending a very ambitious message.
“When he arrived here after leaving Arsenal, Aston Villa was historically a very good club, which won the European Cup.
“He was thinking he could progress here a lot.
“He is more mature than he was at Arsenal five years ago and he is feeling better and stronger as well,”