Emi Martinez warming up for Aston Villa waving towards the Villan tifo at Villa Park
Credit: Imago
Max Wilkins
Thu 1 January 2026 8:10, UK
Emi Martinez hasn’t helped himself at Aston Villa after making another error against Arsenal.
The Argentina international was at fault as Villa secured a 2-1 win over Chelsea, with Ollie Watkins bailing out the keeper at Stamford Bridge.
The 33-year-old was at fault once again as he was poor for a corner and allowed Gabriel to score the opener as Arsenal beat Villa 4-1 on Tuesday.
Martinez has come under fire after the Arsenal defeat for failing to deal with yet another corner and negatively impacting Unai Emery’s side.
Public opinion of Martinez is low right now, something that hasn’t been helped by his social media activity after the full-time whistle at the Emirates.
Emi Martinez looking down holding his hand out while playing for Aston Villa
Credit: Imago
Emi Martinez hits out at Gabriel decision vs Arsenal
Martinez failed to claim a cross against Arsenal and was beaten to the ball by the Brazil international, who headed home in the scrappiest of fashions.
There were questions surrounding the goal as the centre-back collided with the goalkeeper before the ball found the net.
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The Villa shot stopper was left unhappy by the call, and he took to Instagram after the Emirates defeat to not-so-subtly share his frustration.
He said: “The best team won today, we are still in a good position for the second part of the season,” accompanied by a hashtag reading “Elbow Allow”
That hasn’t gone down well with former Aston Villa scout and ex-goalkeeper Bryan King, who was unimpressed with the Argentine.
Bryan King unimpressed by Martinez excuses at Aston Villa
Martinez has had an error in his locker this season and has cost his side various times, prominently away from Villa Park.
That hasn’t gone down well with supporters, but his actions on social media has only negatively impacted his perception more with King.
The ex-Millwall keeper has relied on his own experiences and suggested the Argentine’s social media post is nothing more than an excuse.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “He’s going to the World Cup as defending champion, he’s got to start performing for Aston Villa now.
“He can’t worry if his days are up at Villa, he’s a very good goalkeeper who isn’t performing to what he really is.
“He’s giving away silly goals against big teams in important matches, and that’s got to stop; otherwise, he’ll be given a rest.
“[Regarding his social media post] It’s an excuse. First of all, I don’t like social media, I don’t know why he’s done that, he knows what he should have done and that is punch the ball.
“I played in goal for 25 years, it’s no different today than it was back then, except that you get put under 10 times more pressure than you do now.
“He let himself get boxed in, all he should have done was get up and punch it and see what comes back. To fumble it and start moaning about elbows, give me a break.”
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