There aren’t many players more popular than Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa.
The 32-year-old arrived in 2020 in his late 20s from Arsenal, having struggled in English football for large parts and with zero international caps to his name.
Fast forward to the present and Martinez is a World Cup winner and two-time Copa America champion with Argentina, on top of also guiding Villa into the Champions League.
Martinez has played an integral role in between the sticks for Unai Emery, constantly making saves from clear-cut chances and showcasing his sweeping skills because of the team’s high line.
On Tuesday, Aston Villa embark on their first Champions League adventure when they face Young Boys in Switzerland.
Next month, Aston Villa welcome Bayern Munich for their first Champions League home game, another sign of how far the team has come.
Martinez recently signed a new Villa contract, the last deal he penned was back in 2022, when Steven Gerrard was in charge and the team would go on to finish 14th in the Premier League.
Michelle Owen, who was a host for Villa TV back then and also works for Sky Sports, was making the contract video for the Argentine’s new contract.
She shared on her Instagram story a conversation she had with the Villa shot-stopper and how he was determined to get the team into Europe.
Even though the team would go on to finish 14th, Martinez wanted Champions League football, and fast forward to the present and it has all come true.
Emi Martinez and Aston Villa in the Champions League
“I remember making his new contract video in 2022 and him saying how he wanted to get into Europe with Villa,” said Owen.
“We chatted more after and he said he was desperate to play in the Champions League. Villa finished 14th in the Premier League that season… and now,” added with an applause emoji.
How far can Aston Villa go this season?
Aston Villa secured a stunning comeback win over Everton at the weekend to make it three wins from their opening four matches.
Many were downplaying what the team could do this season because of Champions League commitments, but so far, so good.
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The defence does need to fix itself out because the team struggled during the second half of last season, continued that into pre-season and the goals are still coming in.
This game against Young Boys, Wolves at home, the League Cup and Ipswich Town away is an ample chance for the team to change all of that.
