Emi Martinez

[Toronto Villa]

If he’d have played against Stevenage, we would have won.

This seems just as ridiculous written down as it did in my head.

It wasn’t all down to the keeper. I know Olsen fucked it up at the end but the defeat in totality wasn’t down to him. We played Stevenage of League 2. We should have been well clear by the time they equalized. It was a team failure.

But specific to Emi I’m just so fucking glad he’s ours.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

If he’d have played against Stevenage, we would have won.

This seems just as ridiculous written down as it did in my head.

It wasn’t all down to the keeper. I know Olsen fucked it up at the end but the defeat in totality wasn’t down to him. We played Stevenage of League 2. We should have been well clear by the time they equalized. It was a team failure.

But specific to Emi I’m just so fucking glad he’s ours.

Man U in the cup was the masterclass in Olson fuck ups. Play Emi in that one and I’d like to think we’d be in a 2 legged semi final now.

[Smirker]

I think he will stay. He seems to have more integrity and honour than the Solihull Rat.

[SamTheMouse]

Is there a better keeper in the world right now?

Is there fuck.

[pauliewalnuts]

A few little things - start of the match, doing the huddle pep talk, taking care of comms with the ref on the drone incident, gesturing the players over to the fans at the end of the match (and then lapping it up big time).

He takes being captain seriously, and he's the stand out man for the job.

[Risso]

A few little things - start of the match, doing the huddle pep talk, taking care of comms with the ref on the drone incident, gesturing the players over to the fans at the end of the match (and then lapping it up big time).

He takes being captain seriously, and he's the stand out man for the job.

And he spends half the match out of his area, so the "goalies are too far away to be captain" argument goes out of the window as well!

[pauliewalnuts]

A few little things - start of the match, doing the huddle pep talk, taking care of comms with the ref on the drone incident, gesturing the players over to the fans at the end of the match (and then lapping it up big time).

He takes being captain seriously, and he's the stand out man for the job.

And he spends half the match out of his area, so the "goalies are too far away to be captain" argument goes out of the window as well!

I don't like to give Danny Murphy any credit but on MOTD he was talking about how Martinez is playing the ball to feet as part of the manager's philosophy, but also how that has encouraged him to come out and play like a sweeper, too. Good point, I thought (if not exactly a major insight)

[LeonW]

Wouldn’t change a thing about Martinez. His cockiness is part of what makes him a great goalkeeper. It’s what makes him great at getting in the heads of his opponent. Jimmy Rimmer was before my time, but Martinez is the best Villa keeper I’ve seen since supporting the club. I said it to someone recently that I wouldn’t swap Martinez for any other keeper out there right now and I stand by that. He makes impossible saves, transmits assurance to his defence even with his cockiness (as well as the related entertainment value) and there is nobody else I’d want in net for any penalty situations. Nobody.

That is exactly how I see it. I wouldn’t swap him for any other keeper. I do remember Rimmer and he was superb but I think Emi is the best I’ve seen. Actually we’ve had some good GK’s over the years.

I agree entirely with both these comments. I go back to 1966, and watched live the vast majority of Jimmy Rimmer's games for Villa, including Rotterdam, but Emi is definitely the better, with his shot stopping first class, and the confidence which he exudes is a massive plus. I wouldn't want any other goalkeeper in the world rn.

Another save today in the second half which was just world class, like his world class save last week against Leeds. He keeps doing this time and time again. We have to do everything possible to make sure he finishes his career with us. His calmness in possession as well at points, and sweeping up at the back. He is just phenomenal.

[Rory]

Is there a better keeper in the world right now?

Is there fuck.

And the funny thing is, his only 'weaknesses' are a result of him being too good.

He often struggles with deflections because he gets down so quickly: he'll be well on the way to making a save that no other keeper in the world could, and then gets caught out, whereas a keeper with inferior vision, reflexes and agility (so, all of them) mighy be in a better position to respond to the change of trajectory by virtue of being nowhere near good enough to deal with the pre-deflection effort.

If that makes sense?

[adrenachrome]

A few little things - start of the match, doing the huddle pep talk, taking care of comms with the ref on the drone incident, gesturing the players over to the fans at the end of the match (and then lapping it up big time).

He takes being captain seriously, and he's the stand out man for the job.

And he spends half the match out of his area, so the "goalies are too far away to be captain" argument goes out of the window as well!

I don't like to give Danny Murphy any credit but on MOTD he was talking about how Martinez is playing the ball to feet as part of the manager's philosophy, but also how that has encouraged him to come out and play like a sweeper, too. Good point, I thought (if not exactly a major insight)

Yes. He used the term "sweeper keeper". For a moment I thought he was going to burst into song like a character in a Dennis Potter play:

I'll be your  sweeper keeper
Medals gonna find me
Like they always do

[aj2k77]

Possibly the best keeper in the league at the moment. Brimming with confidence. I hope we get to keep him for a few more seasons and achieve something with him so he can be remembered as a legend.

[Brend'Watkins]

A few little things - start of the match, doing the huddle pep talk, taking care of comms with the ref on the drone incident, gesturing the players over to the fans at the end of the match (and then lapping it up big time).

He takes being captain seriously, and he's the stand out man for the job.

And he spends half the match out of his area, so the "goalies are too far away to be captain" argument goes out of the window as well!

What stands out for me is that he has the respect of the players. They listen to him. They would anyway but more so now because of what he’s achieved.  He’s won the biggest prize making his standing on a different level..

[nigel]

Is there a better keeper in the world right now?

Is there fuck.

And the funny thing is, his only 'weaknesses' are a result of him being too good.

He often struggles with deflections because he gets down so quickly: he'll be well on the way to making a save that no other keeper in the world could, and then gets caught out, whereas a keeper with inferior vision, reflexes and agility (so, all of them) mighy be in a better position to respond to the change of trajectory by virtue of being nowhere near good enough to deal with the pre-deflection effort.

If that makes sense?

If a keeper ‘Struggles with a deflection’ I don’t see that as a weakness, just rotten luck.

I know exactly where you’re coming from, but I think you’re being a touch harsh on something that is totally out of his control

[frank black]

A few little things - start of the match, doing the huddle pep talk, taking care of comms with the ref on the drone incident, gesturing the players over to the fans at the end of the match (and then lapping it up big time).

He takes being captain seriously, and he's the stand out man for the job.

And he spends half the match out of his area, so the "goalies are too far away to be captain" argument goes out of the window as well!

I don't like to give Danny Murphy any credit but on MOTD he was talking about how Martinez is playing the ball to feet as part of the manager's philosophy, but also how that has encouraged him to come out and play like a sweeper, too. Good point, I thought (if not exactly a major insight)

Probably down to the new GK coach as much as the manager , to give them some credit. He certainly will benefit from different coaching (to add to what Cutler achieved)

[kippaxvilla2]

Last night they were still saying Allison is the best in the league but theoretically he plays with better players in front of him so it’s Emi for me.  They were on about Pope at the time and then clarified he’s the best English keeper which means Pickford is a nailed on starter for England.