Emiliano Martinez has been linked with an Aston Villa exit over the past 12 months.placeholder image
Emiliano Martinez has been linked with an Aston Villa exit over the past 12 months. | Getty Images
Aston Villa should target their perfect heir to Emiliano Martinez - before it is too late
Aston Villa have enjoyed a highly successful period ever since Unai Emery took over the club in 2022, becoming regular European challengers and even seeing title challenge claims emerge this term.
A central pillar to Emery’s reign has been a core group of experienced professionals leading the Villa side, from Ollie Watkins to John McGinn and Ezri Konsa. One of the most important players to have shone at Villa Park in recent seasons is goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has been a near ever-present throughout Emery’s time at the club and has even become a World Cup winner with Argentina during his time as a Villa player.
The 33-year-old might soon see the end of his Aston Villa chapter, though. Martinez was heavily linked with an exit last summer, amidst reports that the former Arsenal shot-stopper was keen on moving on. He nearly signed for Manchester United on summer transfer deadline day, before January links with Inter Milan, and might ultimately depart Villa Park at the end of the season – in which case, the West Midlands side must act fast to secure a dream replacement.
Aston Villa must move quickly for dream Martinez successor
Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford has been touted for an exit in search of more regular first-team football and according to reports by TEAMtalk which broke last week, Aston Villa are one of several Premier League clubs who could do battle for his signature in summer 2026.
Leeds United are cited as contenders for the 23-year-old as they look to establish themselves as a stable top-flight club, while Tottenham Hotspur may seek to upgrade on Guglielmo Vicario and Newcastle United could also revitalise their interest.
Amongst the four clubs mentioned, Aston Villa can argue a strong case right now for being the most stable and attractive project, both on the pitch and in terms of the continuity of Emery and his squad of players. Trafford would arrive with a clear pathway to becoming Villa’s No.1 if Martinez does depart – and the club will know that with few better alternatives around and a transfer battle set to ensue, they must act fast to get ahead of the competition and secure a deal.
Trafford to Villa deal is a no-brainer for all parties
Trafford has been touted to become England’s next No.1 for years to come, after all. The only reason he currently finds himself on the substitutes’ bench is because City signed arguably the world’s best goalkeeper in Gianluigi Donnarumma just a matter of weeks after his arrival.
The move from promoted Burnley straight back to his former club at the Etihad for £27m might have been too steep a jump but with a host of options set to be available to him, Trafford will undoubtedly be able to find himself a new home which will see him able to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s best. Trafford is still just 23 and Villa know first-hand from their experience with former Arsenal back-up Martinez that a second-choice ‘keeper at one of the division’s biggest clubs can find the right environment to step up and take their game to a level above at Villa Park.
Furthermore, Villa boast one of Trafford’s former Man City academy team-mates in £100m-rated Morgan Rogers and if they can keep hold of the England international along with Emery, are building a project which has the potential to result in massive trophy glory in the coming seasons.
The value of a summer move to Villa Park should be a no-brainer for Trafford. What is crucial is that the West Midlands outfit make moves to secure his future quickly, before their rival suitors jump the queue and get in there first.
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