Emi Martinez

[SoccerHQ]

Sorensen often gets forgotten about and was reliable. Not of the Martinez and Bosnich standard, but if we're talking about James, Heaton and Guzan, we should definitely be talking Tommy.

Sorensen was decent first season but did let in some cheap goals at times particularly on the near post. Probably would've looked better if we could've had Mellberg and Laursen as the regular CB combo instead of Ridgewell for long spells.

Two SHA games just marked his card although surprisingly we didn't replace him for another two seasons. Always thought he went as soon as MON came in but he played the first season and then O'Neill in his wisdom decided Carson was a better option.

Tommy Sorensen was probably more consistant playing for Stoke than he was for us, did a good job for them for a couple of seasons.

[OCD]

Overheard a Man United fan say Emi should have been sent off for ungentlemanly conduct.

[Ad@m]

I never realised just how salty Man U are.  First their manager whining about imagined unfairness and now their fans getting their knickers in a twist over a bit of gentle sledging!

[Risso]

I never realised just how salty Man U are.  First their manager whining about imagined unfairness and now their fans getting their knickers in a twist over a bit of gentle sledging!

I've said it a few times, but a mark of progress is when we get teams like Man U moaning about us after they've lost, rather than giving us condescending platitudes after they inflict yet another heroic defeat.

[VILLA MOLE]

Overheard a Man United fan say Emi should have been sent off for ungentlemanly conduct.

ha ha brilliant

[Villafirst]

Martinez picked for the upcoming WC qualifiers by Argentina. Will Villa allow him to go after the recent fiasco? Argentina is on the UK's red list. If he goes and has to isolate for 10 days he'll miss the Wolves game.....

[cdbearsfan]

And Arsenal. He only just made the Everton game last time but Arsenal has been brought forward to the Friday for telly.

[Mister E]

Having watched Villa for around 55 years, I'd say that Rimmer has been the best, followed by Spink. If Emi stays with us for a few more years and maintains his high standards of goalkeeping and shithousery, then he might well eclipse both.

[Percy McCarthy]

Rimmer is, without question the best keeper we’ve had in my time following the club. Probably the best we’ve ever had.

Sorry John but that’s ridiculous. Sam Hardy was widely regarded as the best keeper ever when he was playing. They’ve all got a way to go to match that.

Bit hard to judge when not even brian green or Rudy Can't Fail are old enough to have seen him play!

Oh contraire! Rudy remembers Safe and Steady Sam’s debut for Chesterfield.

[Villafirst]

And Arsenal. He only just made the Everton game last time but Arsenal has been brought forward to the Friday for telly.

Yes, possibly more unwanted disruption - as if we haven't had enough already! Is there any directive yet from the PL? Not that the players took any notice last time. Do Villa say to Martinez you can't go this time?

[Meanwood Villa]

Martinez will want to go, I'm sure of that. Depends whether we want to play hard ball with him on it. Tough decision for Dean.

[Smithy]

Martinez picked for the upcoming WC qualifiers by Argentina. Will Villa allow him to go after the recent fiasco? Argentina is on the UK's red list. If he goes and has to isolate for 10 days he'll miss the Wolves game.....

I think the FA's concerned, and the governments, are trying to sort out an answer on this right now.  I don't think we'll see the same situation as last time.

[brontebilly]

Re: nervous back 4...Enckleman, also Steer vs Chelsea.

Unfair to put Steer in that category

Nyland, Kalinic, Gollini, Reina, Bunn!, Guzan by the end...all horror shows that spread panic. Bunn was the worst I've seen at Villa

He was the worst - all those others, especially Reina with his presence and personality, had positive points and had good games. Bunn was just awful. I remember a goal at Stoke where Lescott didn't bother challenging Arnautovic and as the latter headed home home, Bunn was already tangled up in the back of the net having dived prematurely. Comedy gold.

He played in that cabbage game too....Bruce finally lost patience with Nyland and played Bunn. Just hopeless.

Surprised to see Heaton getting a mention as a top keeper. Thought he was no better than average really, stuck to his goal line. Friedel too, reasonable shot stopper but again stuck to his line and overrated for me

Agreed that James was very talented. I was a big fan of Johnstone in his time with us. Poor with ball at his feet but a brilliant shot stopper.

Martinez better than any of them. He has been some signing for us.

[Drummond]

Rimmer, Spink, Bosnich for me. Martinez however, is already on his way to joining them.

Perhaps he only looks so good because of the dross we've had between the sticks for so long, but I rather think he's just a great 'keeper and hopefully he'll be winning medals with us as well as Argentina.

[darren woolley]

He's a brilliant keeper I just hope we don't have big bids coming in for him in the near future.