Aston Villa: ‘Incredibly good’ Emiliano Martinez makes difference v Arsenal, compared to Alisson
Brad Friedel has lauded Emiliano Martinez after the Argentine kept a clean sheet during a 2-0 Aston Villa victory against Arsenal on Sunday (14 April).
Unai Emery’s team took one step closer to securing a Champions League spot for the 2024/25 campaign, moving three points above Tottenham Hotspur before their North London Derby with the Gunners on Sunday 28 April.
The 31-year-old Martinez made four crucial saves during the clash at the Emirates Stadium, denying the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard. [FotMob]
Martinez is also crucial to the playing style Emery has installed at Villa Park, helping his defenders to play out from the back with a 75 per cent pass accuracy against the Gunners.
He also made nine recoveries, as well as making one high claim, commanding his penalty area well and doing his job when called upon, finally allowing Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey to deal the damage at the other end.
Speaking live via Sky Sports News on Monday (15 April, 3:47pm), Freidel said: “If he’s not the best, he’s in the top two or three. A very, very good professional; a very good goalkeeper.
“In the Premier League when you compare statistically, he and Alisson are always going to be neck and neck. What a signing for Aston Villa, what a player for Aston Villa, incredibly humble off the pitch, incredibly good on the pitch. He’s up there with the very, very best.”
Aston Villa shot-stopper Emiliano Martinez compared with Liverpool’s Alisson
Both shot-stoppers are incredibly crucial to their individual teams, with Martinez actually keeping more clean sheets than Alisson in the Premier League this season.
The Liverpool ‘keeper certainly has better shot-stopping statistics than the Argentine, as Alisson has managed to only concede 20 goals in the league compared to Martinez’s 44.
Despite this, the 31-year-old faced an xG of 1.64 against the Gunners, as per FotMob, making it all the more impressive to see him keep a clean sheet in a battle with his former club.
Due to the ever-changing tactics in football, goalkeepers are required to be much more comfortable with the ball at their feet, and that is certainly something the Villa man can boast over the Brazilian.
Among goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues, Martinez ranks in the top 91 percentile for touches, as per FBref, while Alisson is only in the top 82 percentile. [FBref]
One significant statistic that stands out is the percentage of crosses into the penalty area being stopped, with Martinez ranking in the top 99 percentile, as per FBref, while Alisson is only in the top 42 percentile. [FBref]
Of course, Jurgen Klopp has had far longer to form the defence at Anfield, while Emery is only just starting to build a new project at Villa Park.
Considering this, being able to claim Champions League football for next season would be an incredible feat, and Martinez is set to play a crucial role in attaining that very accomplishment.
In other Aston Villa news, Hutton has made a new prediction about Ollie Watkins’ future after the striker’s latest comments
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