Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa’s star goalkeeper, has won the Yashin Trophy for a second consecutive year, solidifying his status as the world’s best goalkeeper.
This remarkable feat comes after a stellar season with both Aston Villa and the Argentina national team. Martinez, who joined Villa from Arsenal for £17 million in 2020, has achieved a slew of honors since, including a World Cup win and two Copa América titles with Argentina. He’s also collected Golden Glove awards in each of these tournaments.
Now, with his place at Villa secured until 2029, Martinez has set his sights on winning a trophy with the club. Despite his personal accolades, he emphasizes the need for Villa to make strides as a team. Speaking after signing his new contract, Martinez noted, “If you want to be the best, if you want Villa to win a trophy, you need to improve from last season.” He acknowledged Villa’s defensive struggles, pointing out that reducing goals conceded is key to competing at a higher level.
Martinez has been working closely with goalkeeping coach Javi Garcia and manager Unai Emery to strengthen Villa’s defense. He’s been vocal during training, saying, “We need to win a trophy, at least reach a final. This club and its fans deserve a cup run.” His ambitions align with the dreams of Villa’s supporters, who have been waiting over four decades for major silverware.
His commitment to Villa’s success has been evident in his discussions with club leaders like Monchi, Villa’s director of football, and Damian Vidagany, Villa’s head of international development. Martinez values the club’s forward-thinking approach, as he explained, “I love it here, but I wouldn’t stay if there wasn’t progress. I want to achieve things and be at a club that’s moving forward.”
Aston Villa has laid out a clear plan to build a competitive squad around Martinez, with Emery aiming to bring in the right players to elevate the team’s performance. Martinez sees this ambition as a sign of Villa’s serious commitment to success. With these goals, he’s eager to help Villa make a breakthrough on the domestic and European stage, believing the time is ripe for Villa to earn a long-awaited trophy.