Emi Martinez was one of many heroes for Aston Villa as they secured a memorable 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Aston Villa secured the win late on as super sub-Jhon Duran came off the bench 20 minutes from time and lobbed Manuel Neuer.
The 20-year-old stole the headlines by scoring his fifth goal from the bench this season but it was goalkeeper Emi Martinez who ensured Unai Emery’s men claimed all three points.
The ‘world-class’ Martinez had to remain switched on throughout the game and towards the end, produced multiple spectacular saves to shutout Bayern, including a stop from point-blank range to deny Harry Kane.
Martinez, arguably the world’s best goalkeeper, helped Villa to only their second clean sheet of the season and has now commented on an amazing night at Villa Park.
Emi Martinez hails Villa Park atmosphere vs Bayern Munich
When the fixture list was drawn for Aston Villa’s return to Europe’s elite competition, this was the game most supporters were looking forward to the most, and it lived up to expectations.
From start to finish, it was a pulsating and entertaining match, with the atmosphere inside Villa Park matching the energy on the pitch.
Both sets of supporters cheered their team on throughout the ninety minutes and when Duran scored his late winner, the roof almost came off the stadium.
Since signing from Arsenal in 2020, goalkeeper Martinez has experienced many incredible home atmospheres but he claims their clash against Bayern was the ‘loudest’ he’d heard Villa Park and the noise was ‘hurting his ears’.
Considering this was Aston Villa’s first home match in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in over 40 years, beating Bayern Munich was a fitting tribute to the late Gary Shaw, who would have been immensely proud of Emery’s troops.
Emi Martinez is the best in the world
When discussing the best goalkeeper on the planet, many people throw multiple names into the hat but Martinez is unquestionably the best of the lot.
A World Cup and Copa America winner with Argentina and a hero for Villa in the Champions League, the 32-year-old seems to get better with age.
There aren’t many keepers better in world football at commanding the goal, and he spreads himself brilliantly to deny the opposition attackers from close range or pull out an outrageous stop from distance.
If his place as the world’s No.1 was ever in doubt, this heroic performance against Bayern Munich cemented his spot at the very top, and that is exactly where he belongs.
To think Villa only paid £20 million to sign the incredible shot-stopper from Arsenal over four years ago is one of many remarkable bargains to arrive.
