Danny Murphy speaking on Match of the Day looking towards Emi Martinez smiling and waving in a circle inset
Credit: Match of the Day and Imago
Max Wilkins
Mon 10 November 2025 7:03, UK
Aston Villa had Emi Martinez to thank after securing a huge win against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Villa beat Bournemouth 4-0 as the Cherries travelled to Villa Park and were sent packing after a stunning showing from Unai Emery’s side.
Bournemouth caused their own problems against Villa after requesting to change ends pre-match, in a swap that ultimately helped the Villans.
The Cherries felt hard done by when Morgan Rogers avoided a red card for Villa, but in the end, it was their lack of goals that impacted their afternoon.
Danny Murphy was left astounded by Emi Martinez’s work to help keep a clean sheet and see out a terrific result against Andoni Iraola’s men.
Emi Martinez looking down holding his hand out while playing for Aston Villa
Credit: Imago
Danny Murphy gushes over Emi Martinez save vs Bournemouth
Emi Buendia was compared to Gareth Bale after he netted a stunning free kick to send the claret and blue outfit down the winning trail.
His strike was added to by Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen to cap off an excellent performance on the day.
MORE VILLA STORIES
Villa were more than deserving of their win, but it did feel as if the tide could have changed if Bournemouth had got on the scoresheet.
Martinez made a stunning penalty save to keep out Antoine Semenyo after he had made a stunning diving save to keep out a deflected Alex Scott effort.
Murphy spoke out via Match of the Day on Sunday and couldn’t speak highly enough of the Argentina international and his work in B6.
He said: “He’s an amazing goalkeeper. The deflection nearly deceives him, but he moves his feet beautifully, and it gives everyone reassurance when you’ve got him behind.
“The penalty save is absolutely outstanding because Semenyo actually strikes it quite nicely into the bottom corner, and it’s a really strong right hand.
“He’s been a really good goalkeeper since he walked through the door, and they’re better with him.”
Martinez still rightly lost Aston Villa vice captaincy
Martinez still tried to force an exit in the summer. Martinez still made a shocking mistake against Liverpool.
Fans inside Villa Park were quick to forget and were happy to chant his name after he made what was an excellent penalty save.
That shouldn’t shrowd judgement that he disrespected Emery and his Villa teammates in the most recent window as he tried to force a move to Manchester United.
He has rightly been stripped of the vice-captaincy in B6, and a positive performance against Bournemouth isn’t enough to change that.
Martinez has a much longer journey back to where he once was in his position as a true Villa Park hero.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Aston Villa news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@villanews247