Emiliano Martinez
Villa warning... Emiliano Martinez (Image: Getty Images)
If it is to be goodbye for Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa will have some challenge in sourcing a successor who can slot into the starting XI for next season and suitably 'fill the void', pundit Jamie Redknapp has warned.
Argentine Martinez, who has won the World Cup and various individual international trophies during his time at Villa, which began just under five years ago when he signed from Arsenal for £20m, was visibly emotional after the full time whistle following Villa's comfortable 2-0 in over Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night.
Martinez, who is 33 in September and signed a new long-term contract at the club last summer, has been strongly linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League along with Villa teammate Leon Bailey, as the Lions look to ensure they remain with the limits of the P&S rules again in this coming transfer window.
The goalkeeper, who has kept 69 clean sheets in 211 appearances for the club, was teary-eyed as he waved to all four stands inside Villa Park before disappearing down the tunnel. When asked post-match whether that was Martinez bidding farewell, manager Unai Emery was coy by way of his response.
Sky Sports pundits Redknapp and Roy Keane, though, felt as though that was the case and that it'd be quite a task in the market to identify a player who could match what Martinez has given to and produced for Villa.
"The Villa players did a lap of appreciation at the end and you've seen the shots of Emi Martinez, with tears in his eyes," Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones said. "Is that a goodbye wave?"
Redknapp replied: "Yes, it would seem that way. What a signing he's been, an amazing player. A great goalkeeper. It'd be a shame, it does look like he was waving goodbye for sure."
Keane reflected: "He's been a good character. Some people like him, he can be annoying sometimes with some of his antics, but he's been a great signing for them. He'd be a big loss to them. It does look like he's saying his goodbyes."
Redknapp added: "You're having to try and find someone who could fill that void...be very difficult."
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