Aston Villa: Jamie Redknapp blown away by what ‘unbelievable’ Emi Martinez did v Arsenal
Aston Villa took a massive step towards Champions League qualification with an impressive win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Two wonderful second-half goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins helped Unai Emery’s side pull off an incredible upset on Sunday (14 April) to win 2-0 and climb back above Tottenham and into the top four of the Premier League.
While the England international’s delicate chip stole the show, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp was quick to heap praise on Emi Martinez for an “unbelievable” save to ensure Villa headed into the break level.
Speaking on Sky Sports Main Event (14 April, 17:25) he said: “This falls to the right man, probably their most clinical finisher. But what it is, is a brilliant save by Martinez.
“We’ve seen him do it in World Cup finals, he just gets that big size 13 foot out and just manages to keep it out. It’s an unbelievable save. He should score, course he should but it is a brilliant save. It’s reminiscent of what we saw a few hours ago at Liverpool.”
Aston Villa take massive step to Champions League qualification with win over Arsenal
Martinez has been one of Villa’s best players in the last few years, but it does feel as though the Argentine stopper has taken his game to the next level under Emery and Sunday’s win was the perfect example of that.
The 31-year-old faced an xG of 1.49 but kept an important clean sheet s he made four saves in the contest, the best of which saw him deny Leandro Trossard from close range. The Belgian’s effort alone had an xG of 0.51, according to Fotmob.
With the ball at his feet, Martinez was just as impressive, completing 75 per cent of his 55 attempted passes as he repeatedly toyed with the Gunners’ frontline as they attempted to press and hurry him in possession.
This is by no means a one-off for the keeper either as he was in similar form against Lille in the Europa Conference League. In that showdown at Villa Park, he made six saves and only conceded once from an xG of 2.67.
With the ball at his feet, the former Arsenal man completed 90 per cent of his passes against the Ligue 1 side and even managed to find a teammate with 67 per cent of his long-range efforts as he sprayed the ball around the pitch.
Few goalkeepers in the Premier League overperform their xG as often as Martinez. The Villa keeper has managed to prevent roughly 0.14 xG per 90 minutes every game this season, according to Fbref.
When extrapolated over a 38-game campaign, that means he prevents just over five goals that he should concede, while it doesn’t sound like much, in the race for the top four that could prove to be crucial.
Martinez is also crucial to Villa’s high line as he makes several interventions outside his box which means his back four can push up high. Only five per cent of keepers complete more defensive actions per game than the Villa keeper.
Will teams try to buy Emi Martinez in the summer transfer window?
While most will credit the goals of either Douglas Luiz or Watkins if Villa finish in the top four this term, Martinez’s involvement between the posts will be just as, if not more important to Emery’s side.
Keeping him fit between now and the end of the season is a must and if Villa can keep him beyond the summer transfer window, they will have a keeper more than capable of stepping into the Champions League next term.
In other Aston Villa news, Ezri Konsa has been tipped to consider a move to Manchester United amid a £40million update
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