Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Lions' number one takes to Instagram to message supporters after final home match of the season and victory over Spurs
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with his wife Amanda and daughter Ava, acknowledges the fans during a lap of appreciation after the final whistle at Villa Park on Friday night.
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with his wife Amanda and daughter Ava, acknowledges the fans during a lap of appreciation after the final whistle at Villa Park on Friday night.
Emi Martinez sent a low-key message to fans following Aston Villa’s final home match of the season - but the response he received came back loud and clear.
The Villa keeper was in tears at the final whistle of Villa’s 2-0 victory over Spurs on Friday, suggesting talk of a summer exit for the World Cup-winner is spot on.
And while Villa boss Unai Emery was giving little away about his - and his goalkeeper’s - summer plans after the game, supporters were keen to see Martinez’s usual post-match post on Instagram for any more clues.
As it is, the Argentinian star played a straight bat, writing “Thank you for all your support this season. We finished strong at home, but we got one more final to go #UTV”
But Villa fans were absolutely clear about where they want to see him next season.
Responding to his message, one wrote, “You are not allowed to leave, Emi - we love you”, while another posted, “Don’t you dare go anywhere”.
Admittedly, there were a few pointing out the beauty of Barcelona as a city, while others were rude enough to suggest FIFA’s world’s best goalkeeper deserved a better team than Villa to play for, but overall the love for the Lions star in B6 came shining through.
“Please stay, Emi. We love you #UTV” wrote another Villa fan in a post littered with heart emojis. One even posted “Let’s have a whip round and use it for PSR so Emi stays”.
Another added, “Please don't go, Emi. This is your home and we love you”, while another was nearly in tears too posting, “I don't think I can take seeing you in another shirt. Just 32 - you’ve still got years to give UTV, Emi”.
But the final word - or several of them, in fact - goes to Villa fan gregorythomasplatt, who posted: “What’s all these rumours about, @emi_martinez26? You are the greatest and your personality is needed at the Villa.
“In my opinion you are the sole reason Villa took that jump forward. Protecting our goal with world class standards and that passion to believe in yourself was absorbed by the whole squad around you.
“You are our winner, our belief. Top bloke. Great goalie. We all respect you at the Villa and owe you our success.”
As for Martinez’s reference to “one more final to go” that will be at Old Trafford next Sunday when Villa play Manchester United probably needing a win to ensure Champions League football again next season. If that is to be his final game for the Lions, what a fitting way to sign off.
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