Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given has showered Emiliano Martinez with praise following his performances in-between the sticks this term.
It’s been an incredible start to the season for Aston Villa who continue to exceed expectations in the Premier League.
The Villans recorded their third consecutive victory on Sunday after coming from behind to beat 10-man Brentford to move to within one point of leaders Arsenal.
With a title race firmly on the agenda, at least heading into the New Year, Unai Emery deserves every last bit of praise for how he’s transformed some of his players into stars.
Ollie Watkins, in particular, is the prime example of how so much can change in 12 months.
When Emery arrived last November, his confidence was on the floor and he struggled in front of goal, but he’s now one of the most lethal forwards in the Premier League and has plundered nine goals in 17 top-flight appearances.
Similarly to Watkins, Douglas Luiz has been transformed into an incredible talent since Emery’s arrival and is now valued at £100m by Aston Villa.
One man who has become one of the greatest in the world in his position is Emiliano Martinez. The World Cup and Copa America-winning goalkeeper has been a revelation during his time at the club.
And former Villa keeper Shay Given has showered the Argentine with praise due to his relentlessly consistent displays this term.
What has Shay Given said about Emi Martinez?
Given regularly weighs in on his verdict on topics surrounding Aston Villa and this has made him a hugely popular character amongst Villa fans.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Given believes the performances of Luiz and Watkins aren’t the sole reason why Villa are fighting for the title, it’s Emi Martinez.
He said: “I think one of the reasons they are up there is because of him.”
Given added: “He’s got personality, he’s got a presence on the pitch, he’s got leadership qualities and he’s a winner.”
Although Luiz has been the lynchpin in Villa’s midfield and Watkins has weighed in with crucial goals, they wouldn’t be in their current position without their world-class goalkeeper.
As Given alluded to, every title-chasing team needs someone who holds a presence on the pitch, possesses leadership qualities and can produce top-drawer saves.
Martinez is all those rolled into one and deserves to be put into a similar bracket as Manchester City’s Ederson and Liverpool’s Alisson.
After signing him for £20 million from title-rivals Arsenal in September 2020, it is fair to say the Gunners are ruing their decision to sell him given Martinez would have solved their current goalkeeping predicament.
