“Crowning achievement of career” – Aston Villa player shares some appreciation for AVFC

Aston Villa star Emiliano Martínez says he found ‘home and incredible stability’ at Villa Park.

The goalkeeper has been the No.1 for Aston Villa since joining them from Arsenal in 2020.

His performances for the Villans helped him make his debut for Argentina in 2021. Martínez has been a key part of the national team that won the World Cup and the Copa América on two occasions.

The 33-year-old was present at an event organised by the Argentine FA at the Emirates on Tuesday. He spoke about a few topics related to his club career and Olé have relayed his comments.

Martínez left Argentina when the Gunners signed him from Club Atlético Independiente in 2010.

He couldn’t cement a place at the north London club, who regularly sent him on loan before selling him to Aston Villa. This also meant the stopper lacked stability in his career until he moved to Birmingham.

Martínez admits it wasn’t initially easy for him to move to Villa Park but still took this step. He’s now absolutely thrilled even though both the player and Aston Villa had a difficult summer.

The PSR rules meant Unai Emery’s side weren’t able to spend as much as they had desired last summer. Martínez, on the other hand, failed to secure a move to Manchester United on the deadline day.

“The pressure to achieve something new always drove me to strive for more. At 12, I went to Buenos Aires; at 16, to England; six loan spells; then to Birmingham, a city I didn’t know,” he said.

“In the early years, I saved everything (money), I didn’t even go to the cinema. It was difficult to leave a club I loved, but I found a home and impressive stability. I grew a lot as a goalkeeper.

“I felt comfortable in the national team because I had to do a lot at the club, and in the national team it seemed easier. Aston Villa and Argentina were the crowning achievement of my career.”