View: Aston Villa must see off interest from top clubs after Emi Martinez World Cup win
For the first time in the club’s illustrious history, Aston Villa have a World Cup winner in their squad after Emiliano Martinez’s final heroics for Argentina.
After helping his nation in the penalty shootout win over the Netherlands in the quarter-final clash, and then keeping Croatia out in the semi-final for his third clean sheet of the tournament, Martinez stepped up once again in the final.
At 3-3 and in the 123rd minute, Martinez pulled off a simply sensational save to deny Randal Kolo-Muani a winning goal and potentially changed the course of history and his career before making big saves in the shootout once again.
But on top of winning the World Cup for Argentina and Lionel Messi, he has attracted the eyes of the biggest clubs in the world once again because of his influence.
The former Arsenal stopper has since been linked with a potential move to Manchester United and Chelsea, who are both keen to update their goalkeeping situations in the summer transfer window.
“Emiliano Martinez could be a part of a domino effect with goalkeepers next summer, perhaps with Chelsea or Manchester United, let’s see,” Fabrizio Romano told the CBS House of Champions podcast.
Aston Villa were smart and made sure to tie Martinez down to a new long-term contract earlier this year, securing his future at the club until 2027 at least.
The new deal came in just his second season at the club, having been mightily impressive in a short stint at Arsenal and then as the number one under Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.
There is now no doubting that he is among the best goalkeepers in the world, and if Aston Villa are serious about making themselves a top club in the country once again then they have to do all they can to keep hold of him.
Interest will peak during the summer after his performances, and considering he has now got a taste of winning top honours with his country he will want the same at club level too.
Having been at Arsenal previously and winning the FA Cup before being sold, and now being in his thirties, despite being a goalkeeper this could be the final chance he has of securing a big move to a Champions League club.
Whether he would push for a move or not is obviously unknown at this point, but Villa have to do everything to ensure they’re in a position of strength after this tournament.
Getting him to sign a new deal before that was the perfect start, and now they must fend off any interest barring a ridiculously high fee. He should be the key to this side progressing to the next level.
In other Aston Villa news, Morgan Sanson is done at Villa Park and Unai Emery knows it