Peter Lynch

Thu 23 November 2023 11:17, UK

Aston Villa ace Emi Martinez continued his fine run of form for club and country with a superb display for Argentina against Brazil.

Playing the entire 90 minutes of the World Cup 2026 qualifier on Wednesday (22 November) the goalkeeper kept a clean sheet as his nation won 1-0.

Benfica defender Nicolas Otamendi scored the only goal of the game, with Newcastle United man Joelinton seeing red for the hosts.

The victory keeps the current holders top of the qualifying standings and looking likely of securing a place in the tournament in 2026.

And key to the three points was Villa star Martinez, who made three saves, with two inside the box, three high claims and one punch, having also completed 20 of his 30 passes. [Sofascore].

Moreover, the shot-stopper was successful with his only run out (100%), with his feats earning him a match rating of 7.4, bettered by only defensive duo Cristian Romero (8.3) and Otamendi (8.1).

Martinez wasn’t the only Premier League goalkeeper on show, with Liverpool star Alisson lining out for Brazil. However, the Reds ace made just one save and one high claim, outshining Martinez only in passes completed (92%), as per Sofascore.

The Villa goalkeeper has produced many similar displays for his club this season, with Emery set to be overjoyed that the goalkeeper did not leave Villa Park in the summer.

A transfer was certainly mooted, with journalist Dean Jones telling GIVEMESPORT in May: “Martinez has got a decision to make over his Aston Villa future and at the same time, Villa have got an opportunity to make a lot of money on him.

“I mean, he would become one of the most expensive goalkeepers ever if he was to leave in the next transfer window.”

Fortunately for all those connected to the Midlands club, Martinez went nowhere, with the 2022 World Cup winner a key member of Villa’s rapid rise in recent times.

In other Aston Villa news, Emery has a deadly duo on his hands at Villa Park as a double-figure link-up emerges.