Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez stands with his hands together while gazing concernedly towards a circular inset, where manager Unai Emery watc...
(Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media, Imago)
Jacob Raw
Wed 11 February 2026 8:10, UK
Emi Martinez is showing evidence that he is on a steady downward decline at Aston Villa.
Unai Emery has had the Villans in the title question this season, and has so far enjoyed top performances from many of his stars.
Martinez has been a revelation of a signing for Villa ever since coming to B6 from Arsenal in a permanent deal back in 2020.
He wasn’t the world’s number one for no reason, and is a big reason as to why Villa have grown into a top contendor in English football.
However, Martinez is starting to show signs of his age in performances, and further statistics prove that Emery may have a tough decision to make in the summer.
Emi Martinez errors in the Premier League.
Credit: Breaking Media
Emi Martinez at record-low for errors in Premier League
As highlighted by Sofascore, Martinez has made three errors that have led to a goal this season, which is more than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League.
The Argentine has been regressing in key areas such as distribution and handling, as it’s hard to see past Villa having another few points on the board if he were in his prime.
Martinez has played 238 times for Aston Villa
His contract runs until the summer of 2029
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The 33-year-old is now at a point in his career where he is unlikely to improve, meaning if this is just the start of his errors, then how bad will it get?
Yes, for the most part, Martinez has been reliable, but it’s those defining moments that have cost the Villans in key parts of matches.
Emiliano Martinez 2025-26 Premier League stats
Credit: Breaking Media
The shot-stopper’s average Sofascore rating is 7.14, which shows why Emery will have such a headache with the goalkeeper’s errors.
Martinez is still Premier League level on the whole, but the mistakes are becoming far too frequent, and don’t appear to be going away.
Aston Villa’s Martinez replacement is already at the club
Martinez almost joined Manchester United in the summer, and some Villa fans may have mixed opinions on that due to the fact that the Villans could have raked in around £40million through his sale.
It’s no secret that NSWE are battling financial problems, and that type of money for a veteran goalkeeper would have been ridiculous business.
But whenever Aston Villa do decide to part ways with the former Arsenal man, then they may not have to spend money on his replacement.
That’s because they have Oliwier Zych on their books, a 21-year-old keeper who is currently developing while out on loan with Rakow Czestochowa in the Polish league.
The number one has been with the Villans since 2021 and is impressing in his homeland, and will be pushing for a starting spot at Villa Park sometime in the near future.