Dean Smith will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Aston Villa fans.
Aston Villa were struggling in the Championship when he took charge of his boyhood club in 2018 and he guided them back to the promised land.
The long-term aim was to get Villa back into the Champions League, but many knew that it would take time.
Smith might not have been in the dugout when Villa returned to Europe’s elite competition, but you can bet your bottom dollar that he played a huge part in getting the club there.
Many of the current players thriving now were purchased under his stewardship or were handed debuts when he was in charge.
That was proven during Villa’s goalless draw against Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Nine players, who were in the squad for that match, were still at the club when Smith was in charge, but one man, in particular, has gone and reached heights like never before.
Aston Villa told you have no choice but to ‘admire’ Emi Martinez after heroics against Juventus
Martinez was signed under Smith’s stewardship and he has since gone on to win the World Cup with Argentina, including two Copa Americas and guide his club side to the Champions League.
And, against Juventus, Martinez pulled off a stunning save to deny Francisco Conceicao the chance to open the scoring.
Danny Murphy labelled the player ‘phenomenal’ and made it clear that, whether you ‘love him or hate him’, then you can’t do anything but ‘admire’ him, as he told Match of the Day.
“Whether you love him or hate him, you can’t do anything other than admire his goalkeeping ability,” said Murphy.
“He’s a phenomenal goalkeeper with a huge presence and that is a fantastic save. He does this so often that it isn’t a surprise anymore. He’s a huge player for them.”
‘Incredible’ Martinez Champions League stat
Before the game, Martinez showed off his Yashin Trophy in front of the Villa Park crowd, as he was alongside his two kids.
It was fitting that happened and then he would go on to make that save and keep his fourth clean sheet in the competition.
Former Villa star Thomas Hitzlsperger shared an ‘incredible’ stat about Martinez and how it further proves that he is the ‘best goalkeeper in the world right now’, as he added on MOTD.
“He has saved 24 from 25 shots in the Champions League,” shared Hitzlsperger. “That is just incredible. He proves everybody right that he is the best goalkeeper in the world right now.”
