Emi Martinez proved once more why he’s the best goalkeeper on the planet after producing an ‘unbelievable’ moment in the Champions League.
Aston Villa were made to settle for a goalless draw against Juventus in the Champions League despite Morgan Rogers finding the net in stoppage time.
A loose ball dropped to Rogers in the box after Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio spilt the ball under the challenge of centre-back Diego Carlos.
VAR saw this contact enough to overturn the goal as Unai Emery branded the decision as ‘soft’ after the game.
The Spaniard wasn’t the only one with the same view, as Villa fans were angry that Rogers goal was disallowed when it inarguably should have stood.
Villa supporters, of course, went home from the game feeling unhappy but they were also left counting their blessings after Emi Martinez came in clutch.
Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa makes a save off a shot from Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5...
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Emi Martinez praised for ‘unbelievable’ save vs Juventus
It’s been a difficult period for Emery and his side but despite the winless run of seven matches, one constant has been the form of Martinez.
Jamie O’Hara dubbed Martinez ‘world-class’ in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace as the World Cup winner produced an outstanding save.
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The 32-year-old was at it again on Wednesday night, this time in the Champions League, as he somehow got down low to produce an astonishing save from point-blank range to deny Francisco Conceição’s header.
It was a moment that ensured Villa had a fighting chance of winning the match in the closing stages, with TNT Sports commentator Lucy Ward dubbing the save as ‘unbelievable’.
“What a save that is from Emiliano Martinez! He loves it. What a great reaction from Martinez to get down and just stop the ball from crossing the line. It’s unbelievable that from the Aston Villa goalkeeper,” Ward said via BBC Sport.
Martinez’s teammates would have been left thanking him after producing the latest of many world-class moments in a Villa jersey.
Martinez wants the Champions League golden glove
Martinez is already the best goalkeeper in the world, and he’s now proving exactly why with his performances on the European stage.
The Villans can’t keep a clean sheet for toffee in the Premier League but in the Champions League, it’s a completely different story.
Following their goalless draw against Juve, Villa have now shut out the opposition in four of their five games. It means that Martinez is in hot pursuit of the competitions Golden Glove award.
Goalkeepers with most Champions League clean sheets No. of clean sheets
Yann Sommer (Inter Milan) 5
Emi Martinez (Aston Villa) 4
Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta) 4
Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool) 3
David Raya (Arsenal) 3
Martinez is in elite company in the race for the award, as he’s marginally beating Premier League goalkeepers Caoimhín Kelleher and David Raya.
Indeed, if he does end up finishing top of the standings, it will be a hugely impressive achievement as it will perhaps mean Villa have gone deep into the competition.
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