“He’s a monster” – Belief Unai Emery just can’t drop Aston Villa player

Emiliano Martínez was repeatedly linked with a move away from Aston Villa last summer.

Throughout the window, the Argentine media regularly covered his desire to leave Villa Park.

The goalkeeper had an opportunity to leave Aston Villa for Manchester United towards the deadline. The move didn’t go through and the Red Devils signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

Last month, Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni raised concerns over the 33-year-old possibly losing his place at Aston Villa. That didn’t happen as he’s still first choice for Unai Emery this season.

Argentinos Juniors goalkeeper Sergio Romero believes Unai Emery found it impossible to overlook the World Cup winner. He spoke about Martínez during a chat with DSports.

The Villans signed Martínez from Arsenal in 2020, and he’s been the No.1 for them since then.

His displays for Aston Villa helped him make his debut for Argentina in 2021. Since then, the goalkeeper has cemented his place with the national team, winning the World Cup and Copa América.

“Dibu is an exceptional goalkeeper. When he was at Arsenal and a substitute, he told me he’d told the manager he should be the starter because he was better,” Romero said.

“I told him not to fight for it, that everything comes in its own time. Once he got his chance, Dibu showed what he’s capable of. He did a tremendous job, and it paid off; he’s a monster.”

Despite his failure to secure a move away from Aston Villa, Romero believes Unai Emery found it hard to drop his compatriot from the playing XI.

“He’s an exceptional goalkeeper. All the hard work he put in paid off, and today he’s having an incredible season,” Romero explained.

“He had the chance to go to Manchester United. And when we all thought, Emery was going to bench him, it was impossible for him to bench him because he’s the best goalkeeper on the team.”