Emi Martinez theory emerges at Aston Villa in 5/10 verdict – ‘Biggest drop off’
Emi Martinez has struggled at times this season as Aston Villa have failed to keep many clean sheets.
The Argentina international has been one of the Villans’ best players since signing from Arsenal in 2020, contributing heavily to earning Champions League football last season.
It is safe to say this campaign has been his most frustrating in a Villa shirt, managing just three Premier League shut outs across 28 appearances.
With that being said, a new theory has emerged at Villa Park which could suggest why Unai Emery’s side have struggled at times this season.
Ben Foster shares Aston Villa drop off verdict without Martinez
The loss against Crystal Palace was clear evidence that Villa are much worse without Martinez after he was substituted at half time.
This meant that Robin Olsen went in goal for 45 minutes which saw the Swede concede three of the home side’s four goals.
The performance level got worse as the clock ticked down at Selhurst Park and the reason for that could be put down to the goalkeeper change.
This is the belief of Foster who has suggested to the Football Fill-In (28 February) that the Villans get much worse without the Argentine.
He said: “We had a theory about it, when Emi Martinez is not on the pitch, Villa have the biggest drop off of any team in the Premier League.
“It’s like every other player in that team drops from a seven out of 10 to a five. They know that he will save most of the things that are thrown at him.
“It doesn’t matter who replaces him, it’s not Emi Martinez and they can feel that.”
Martinez needs to improve as Aston Villa enter Premier League run in
Regardless of how good the 32-year-old is in between the sticks for the Villans, he hasn’t been good enough to keep more clean sheets this season.
Conceding 41 goals in just 28 games is far from ideal and has contributed to what has been a struggle this season.
This has resulted in Villa accruing a goal difference of -5 in the Premier League, which is only better than six sides in the whole division.
| Position | Team | Goal difference |
| 10 | Aston Villa | -5 |
| 14 | Manchester United | -6 |
| 15 | West Ham | -15 |
| 17 | Wolves | -19 |
| 18 | Ipswich Town | -31 |
| 19 | Leicester City | -36 |
| 20 | Southampton | -46 |
For a side which is searching for a spot in the Champions League for the second time in as many seasons, this has to be improved on with eight games remaining.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Martinez can return to fitness and how many clean sheets he will be able to keep for the rest of the season.
Not that any Villa fan will be confident of keeping any.