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Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: BC Villain on May 15, 2021, 10:56:19 AM

Title: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: BC Villain on May 15, 2021, 10:56:19 AM
We've been blessed to have had some some great keepers at Villa over the years.  Given Martinez's phenomenal impression this season, be interesting to see how others rate him against others they've seen.

In my years, Bosnich was always the one I thought was outstanding over a long period of time (save for his godawful kicking).

Spink was a great servant and club legend,  but was probably slightly past his best when I saw him.

David James was brilliant over the two years he was here.  Completely rebuilt his reputation and got his England place back.

Friedel was solid enough, but again we probably got him at the wrong time when his peak had just gone.

Martinez has been unreal so far in a team where at times he's had to work overtime to keep a clean sheet.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Damo70 on May 15, 2021, 11:02:47 AM
It is a tough call between Rimmer, Martinez and Friedel but for me if he had knuckled down and kept his head screwed on both on and off the pitch Bosnich was well on his way to being up there with the best in the world around the mid nineties.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Neil Hawkes on May 15, 2021, 12:58:39 PM
I've probably seem Emi more than any other Villa keeper over the years, as been able to watch every match this season. He is exceptional & even in his worst games (very few) I haven't witnessed a horror show, rather dips from exceptional to good.

Exceptional makes him one of the best keepers in the world, and with his very few good displays he's still better than nearly any other Premier league keeper.

Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Axl Rose on May 15, 2021, 01:22:17 PM
Emi is great. Bosnich was king.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: BC Villain on May 15, 2021, 01:43:13 PM
Sunderland away in the League Cup and Manure away in 92/93 were brilliant performances from Bosnich
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Damo70 on May 15, 2021, 01:56:11 PM
Sunderland away in the League Cup and Manure away in 92/93 were brilliant performances from Bosnich

The Sunderland game was right up there with the best goalkeeping performances I have ever witnessed. Bozzie and Dalian really turned it on in our run to winning the cup that season. Deano too to be fair.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: CT on May 16, 2021, 05:40:29 PM
Sunderland away in the League Cup and Manure away in 92/93 were brilliant performances from Bosnich

The Sunderland game was right up there with the best goalkeeping performances I have ever witnessed. Bozzie and Dalian really turned it on in our run to winning the cup that season. Deano too to be fair.

He was world class that night. They should have battered us.

Bozzie is still right up there for me. That Tranmere penalty save when they needed to score to win and he just banged his chest and shouted “You can’t fucking beat me”.

Emi is clearly an absolutely top notch keeper and I may change my mind over the next 12 months.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: olaftab on May 16, 2021, 05:51:09 PM
He is very good but not in the top 5. Those being:
Rimmer
Bosnich
James
Friedel
Heaton (I know he's been injured but IMO he is a better keeper.)
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: SoccerHQ on May 17, 2021, 12:59:38 AM
Friedel was solid for us aside from a dodgy patch in his last season but never once did I come away from a match thinking he'd practically won us a match on his own (as I'd seen him do a few times for Blackburn in the previous years). Also didn't help his penalty saving skiills totally deserted him when he joined us as he was first prem keeper to save two penalites in one game I think.

Would class Heaton in same category. Solid and what we needed being promoted, no chance he's a better all round keeper than Emi though as not as dominant on crosses for a start.

Bozzy was one of my football heroes growing up. Looking back he did make a fair few errors during the seasons rushing out but the sort who'd then make a world class save five minutes later so had the right sort of mentality needed.

Thought James had a brilliant season in 99/00 but the last match summed his career up. When the crunch came he made an error.

Overall would rank as:

1. Bosnich
2. Emi
3. James
4. Friedel
5. Sorensen (overall not a bad keeper but the obvious errors mean he's a very distant 5th).
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Exeter 77 on May 17, 2021, 10:13:06 AM
In my time watching Villa Martinez based on just this season sits just behind Jimmy Rimmer and Mark Bosnich and fractionally in front of Nigel Spink.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: LeeB on May 17, 2021, 11:20:00 AM
He is very good but not in the top 5. Those being:
Rimmer
Bosnich
James
Friedel
Heaton (I know he's been injured but IMO he is a better keeper.)

Got to disagree there mate, he's miles better than Heaton, and James.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: ROBBO on May 18, 2021, 10:41:41 AM
Nigel Sims was Mr reliable for me. Funny that keepers usually get less than outfielders yet every mistake by them is critical.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on May 18, 2021, 11:59:41 AM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: PGW on May 18, 2021, 12:07:14 PM
Rimmer
Bosnich
Emi
Sims
Spink
Friedel
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: The Man With A Stick on May 18, 2021, 01:50:24 PM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.

Was that the one in front of the Holte that took a deflection?  Still say that's the best save I've seen in the flesh.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: LeeB on May 18, 2021, 01:54:32 PM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.

Was that the one in front of the Holte that took a deflection?  Still say that's the best save I've seen in the flesh.

He was a one man brick wall that day, even their goal came from one his saves.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Mortimer's Bear on May 18, 2021, 02:12:03 PM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.

Was that the one in front of the Holte that took a deflection?  Still say that's the best save I've seen in the flesh.

Yes, the only time I've ever seen a standing ovation for a save.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: AV82EC on May 18, 2021, 03:04:01 PM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.

Was that the one in front of the Holte that took a deflection?  Still say that's the best save I've seen in the flesh.

Yes, the only time I've ever seen a standing ovation for a save.

Guzan against QPR when he somehow managed to claw out Samba I thinks header.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: dave.woodhall on May 18, 2021, 03:10:50 PM
Call me old-fashioned but I always prefer keepers who don't have to make a save because they know where the ball's going to be. I know it's harder with the new balls and boots, but that's why for me Rimmer is always head and shoulders above everyone else. It's a tradition going back a hundred years and more that we invariably have good keepers but rarely great ones. Rimmer was a great. 
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: dcdavecollett on May 20, 2021, 12:08:04 AM
For me, Jimmy Rimmer was the best all-round 'keeper I've seen down here. How he would have got on with the extra kicking duties of the modern game, I don't know.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: WarszaVillan on May 21, 2021, 08:40:06 AM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.

Was that the one in front of the Holte that took a deflection?  Still say that's the best save I've seen in the flesh.

Yes, the only time I've ever seen a standing ovation for a save.

Guzan against QPR when he somehow managed to claw out Samba I thinks header.

Kevin Poole from a Speedie header in front of the Holte. Speedie aplauded I remember. Emi I think is right up there, he is the most reliable keeper I can remember for ages. His handling from crosses is exceptional.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Brend'Watkins on May 21, 2021, 09:42:15 AM
He is very good but not in the top 5. Those being:
Rimmer
Bosnich
James
Friedel
Heaton (I know he's been injured but IMO he is a better keeper.)

Got to disagree there mate, he's miles better than Heaton, and James.

Absolutely.  He's way ahead of them. What makes him a stand out keeper is the fact that he has so far no clear cut cock ups that I can recall. That alone puts him in front of Bosnich and further ahead still with his kicking.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Dr Butler on May 21, 2021, 10:25:46 AM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.

Was that the one in front of the Holte that took a deflection?  Still say that's the best save I've seen in the flesh.

Yes, the only time I've ever seen a standing ovation for a save.

Guzan against QPR when he somehow managed to claw out Samba I thinks header.

Kevin Poole from a Speedie header in front of the Holte. Speedie aplauded I remember. Emi I think is right up there, he is the most reliable keeper I can remember for ages. His handling from crosses is exceptional.

talking about great saves, how about O. Nyland's one handed save from a Leicester player in the League Cup semi final 2nd leg at Villa Park ?


t'was a great save :)

UTV
The Doc
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: dcdavecollett on May 22, 2021, 12:15:59 AM
Nyland's save was brilliant; in fact that first twenty minute spell was the very best of Orjan for us.

I'm a massive Emi fan, but the first goal conceded v Spurs and Greenwood's goal for Manure were both really down to him.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: p_ad on May 22, 2021, 12:02:33 PM
Rimmer is still the best keeper I have seen for us,bossie could be brilliant, I liked both James , and friedel. I think Emi could surpass them all if he stays fit , he just oozes class and confidence
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: KevinGage on May 23, 2021, 02:13:15 PM
Spink was ropey coming off his line and - apart from 1990 - never go close to his early 80s form IMO. No surprise BFR brought in Sealey and played him in 1991. And then brought in Bosnich not long after.

Bosnich was a head-the-ball but was the best natural shot stopper I've seen in my time down there. Including the oppo's goalkeepers as well. Plenty of one on one chances where you already think you're a goal down and mentally are prepared for the restart and he'd pull off a blinding save. Kicking was woeful, but most keepers found the no backpass rule change a problem back them.

Friedel was largely solid for us, did the simple things well. Saved the ones he should have (except for the last season) but rarely pulled off world class saves. James was better for us - and more consistent than his Liverpool days. But sadly the abiding memory I have of him is that slip in the cup final.

Rimmer was just a wee bit before my time, but he seems like he had the lot. Plus that bit of madness goalkeepers need.

Bozzie
Emi
James

of the ones I saw.

Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Godfrey Brian on May 23, 2021, 06:31:55 PM
Rimmer still holds top spot for me. Consistency is the quality keepers need and Emi has that. Another season like this one and he'll be a close second.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: JD on May 24, 2021, 07:12:00 AM
Rimmer
Bozzie
Emi

Although it could change as Emi is still young and could surpass the other two.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Dick Edwards on May 25, 2021, 12:45:30 PM
I'd been thinking about this question months ago given just how outstanding Emi had been. I concluded that it was too early to lavish greatness on a player after only less than a year. If we did that I can also recall Brad Guzan and Peter Enckleman having isolated excellent periods for us.

Jimmy Rimmer has always been the best for me but if Emi can repeat this season's performances next season he will be pushing Rimmer very close. Emi has absolutely everything you want in a goalkeeper.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: dcdavecollett on May 27, 2021, 12:04:42 AM
Spot on.

The test of time awaits...
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: rob_bridge on May 28, 2021, 08:20:42 AM
Bosnich
Rimmer
Spinks
Brad F

would be my order.

Emi has every chance to gate crash those positions but needs at least 3 seasons. Guzan was great for 18 months after all.

James, Heaton and Johnstone done a decent job for us, Heaton very unlucky.

I'd rather not think of some of the others
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: dave shelley on May 28, 2021, 09:07:21 AM
I posted on a Facebook discussion about Jimmy Rimmer only a few weeks ago that if you counted on the fingers of one hand the amount of direct mistakes by Jimmy that resulted in a goal being conceded, you would have zero.

 It's a long time since he played for us and time dims the memory and all that but, that's how I remember it.  I'm sure others will see it differently and have examples.  Emi Martinez has it in his locker to become an all-time great Villa goalkeeper.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: LeeB on May 28, 2021, 09:10:14 AM
I posted on a Facebook discussion about Jimmy Rimmer only a few weeks ago that if you counted on the fingers of one hand the amount of direct mistakes by Jimmy that resulted in a goal being conceded, you would have zero.

 It's a long time since he played for us and time dims the memory and all that but, that's how I remember it.  I'm sure others will see it differently and have examples.  Emi Martinez has it in his locker to become an all-time great Villa goalkeeper.

I never saw Rimmer play live, and one of the few things I have seen footage of is him letting that pea roller in away at Highbury on the final day, it unfortunately clouds my view of him as that was clearly not an indicative sample.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: wittonwarrior on May 30, 2021, 10:35:08 PM
How anyone can rate Bozzie about Rimmer is beyond me.  Obviously never saw Jimmy play.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: steamer on June 08, 2021, 09:33:13 PM
Rimmer
Bosnich
Spinks, for that game
Martinez has the potential and opportunity to top them all

I can go through all our goalkeepers from Withers and apart from a couple more recent ones have been fond of them all
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: john2710 on June 08, 2021, 10:42:53 PM
Rimmer was absolutely the finest keeper we’ve had. Bosnich would be the next best.

Emi  may get to their levels with time.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: cdbearsfan on June 19, 2021, 12:37:16 PM
Bosnich was the best I've seen, but Martinez is capable of being better than him.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Ian. on June 19, 2021, 12:45:48 PM
Bosnich was the best I've seen, but Martinez is capable of being better than him.

Me too. He’s got some way to go but he may just pip it if he carries on in the same way, one thing he has over Bozzy is he can pass the ball very accurately.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: dcdavecollett on June 20, 2021, 12:11:02 AM
Bozzie was probably the best of the lot at shot-stopping. Rimmer was master of all the 'keeping skills (except, perhaps for the 'modern' kicking skills that are now required. He did this for almost six years.

Over to you, Emi...
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Rudy Can't Fail on June 20, 2021, 12:22:20 AM
How anyone can rate Bozzie about Rimmer is beyond me.  Obviously never saw Jimmy play.

Yup, let's see how Martinez does but I've yet to see a Villa keeper that came close to Jimmy.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: geolex on July 16, 2021, 04:02:28 PM
For that save against Coventry alone, Bosnich will always be king.

Was that the one in front of the Holte that took a deflection?  Still say that's the best save I've seen in the flesh.

Yes, the only time I've ever seen a standing ovation for a save.

Guzan against QPR when he somehow managed to claw out Samba I thinks header.

Kevin Poole from a Speedie header in front of the Holte. Speedie aplauded I remember. Emi I think is right up there, he is the most reliable keeper I can remember for ages. His handling from crosses is exceptional.

talking about great saves, how about O. Nyland's one handed save from a Leicester player in the League Cup semi final 2nd leg at Villa Park ?


t'was a great save :)

UTV
The Doc


I think the one against Sheff Utd 19/20 ...season from every angle the ball looked like it had crossed the line but no he somehow kept it out ..... :D
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: four fornicholl on July 16, 2021, 04:37:12 PM
Rimmer then Emi for me, could change, Burridge was my fave though. Mad as a box of frogs.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: martin o`who?? on September 14, 2021, 10:58:28 AM
Way down the line from Jimmy Rimmer and Bozzie but they are both identified with success whereas Martinez isn't so at present  - hopefully that'll change given time.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: martin o`who?? on September 14, 2021, 11:22:01 AM
I posted on a Facebook discussion about Jimmy Rimmer only a few weeks ago that if you counted on the fingers of one hand the amount of direct mistakes by Jimmy that resulted in a goal being conceded, you would have zero.

 It's a long time since he played for us and time dims the memory and all that but, that's how I remember it.  I'm sure others will see it differently and have examples.  Emi Martinez has it in his locker to become an all-time great Villa goalkeeper.
I honestly can't ant think of one - Rimmers level and consistency was phenomenal. What Arsenal were doing letting him go I don't know - ditto Martinez.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Tayls_7 on September 14, 2021, 05:46:19 PM
Spinksey pulled off one save in 1982 that guarantees my endless gratitude.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: LeeB on October 01, 2021, 08:24:54 PM
I posted on a Facebook discussion about Jimmy Rimmer only a few weeks ago that if you counted on the fingers of one hand the amount of direct mistakes by Jimmy that resulted in a goal being conceded, you would have zero.

 It's a long time since he played for us and time dims the memory and all that but, that's how I remember it.  I'm sure others will see it differently and have examples.  Emi Martinez has it in his locker to become an all-time great Villa goalkeeper.
I honestly can't ant think of one - Rimmers level and consistency was phenomenal. What Arsenal were doing letting him go I don't know - ditto Martinez.

Quite a similar situation to the one that bought Emi here from what I've read. Had the shirt, but was undervalued, so fucked off.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: dcdavecollett on October 02, 2021, 01:27:03 AM
I don't think Jimmy was undervalued as such. Spurs made a truly boneheaded decision to release Pat Jennings after relegation in 1977, so Arse snapped him up.
Title: Re: How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?
Post by: Des Little on October 02, 2021, 11:25:54 AM
Rimmer for me, but there is plenty of time for Emi to get even better. I’ll never forget Jimmy keeping Liverpool out at Anfield in 1983 (I think), it finished nil all and he was simply outstanding.
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