Aston Villa played out a controversial Champions League clash against Juventus on Wednesday as both sides shared the spoils.
It was a game of few clear-cut chances right until the very end when Morgan Rogers tapped home what he thought was the winning goal.
However, VAR intervened after adjudging Diego Carlos to have fouled the Juventus goalkeeper, causing him to spill the ball.
This moment sparked mass controversy as Unai Emery labelled the decision as ‘soft’ while Villa fans left the stadium feeling angry.
While Michele Di Gregorio was blasted for his actions to earn his side a point against Aston Villa, Emi Martinez proved once more why he’s the world’s best goalkeeper.
Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Aston Villa FC and Juventus at Vi...
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Emi Martinez produced world-class performance vs Juventus
Martinez began the night by walking onto the field with his children and parading a pair of trophies for being the world’s best goalkeeper for the last two years.
The 32-year-old finished it by making an astonishing save that vindicated those awards, getting down low to deny Francisco Conceição’s header from point-blank range.
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Lucy Ward dubbed Martinez as ‘unbelievable’ for that incredible stop and it isn’t the only time this season where the World Cup-winner has come in clutch for his side.
In the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, Jamie O’Hara lauded Martinez as ‘world-class’ after he denied Jeffrey Schlupp with a stunning acrobatic save.
On Wednesday night, the experienced stopper showcased his fine reflexes to somehow prevent the ball from crossing the goal line, leaving many who were watching stunned.
Peter Crouch praises Martinez after Juventus masterclass
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, former striker Peter Crouch waxed lyrical over the save and the goalkeeper’s attributes, commenting on his starting position, commanding presence, and ability to pull off insane stops.
“This is an unbelievable save,” Crouch said. “It’s the moment where they switched off at the back post.
“It was a free header and he’s just clawed that. It’s millimetres. An unbelievable save.
“I used to love a real character in goal and I think that’s what you’ve got with him.
“What I also like is his starting position. Quite often, when the ball’s played through, he’s in the correct position. He cleared two opportunities away with his feet.
“His starting position’s good, he’s commanding, he’s a character and he pulls off saves like that. There’s a reason that he’s been voted the world’s best goalkeeper.
“He’s been at the top of his game for a long time now.”
Villa may have gone through a difficult spell of form, failing to win their previous seven matches but Martinez is still performing at the highest level.
Indeed, the Argentine has cemented his place at the very top and no other goalkeeper comes close to exceeding him.
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