Emi Martinez

[brontebilly]

What do people think - I think they should give him a guard of honor or similar!

The achievement is unheard of.  In my lifetime, only a small handful of players have played for villa that were truly world-class - let alone the best in their position. 

I can only really think of McGrath and Yorke and maybe Benteke (though only at villa) and maybe Rat Boy

Yorke, Benteke and Grealish were not close to world class unfortunately.

I know labels like world class can be impossible to define but those three at their peak were absolutely brilliant for us. Yorke at his best played in a very good Villa team and he was the best player by a mile. Benteke arguably kept us in the PL for a couple of seasons longer than we deserved to in a dreadful team. Grealish, to be honest I think his peak surpassed the best even Yorke produced in a Villa shirt. Another magical player at his best, still struggling to replace his impact.

Martinez I think is the best PL keeper currently. Been a great signing for us (I was very sceptical) but incredibly brave and top keeper. But I don't think he belongs in the group above as he never had to carry the team like they did.

[PeterWithesShin]

Platt, McGrath and Emi are the only Villa players in my time that have had a legitimate claim to being the best in the world in their position.

[Drummond]

They definitely don't get on.

[mrfuse]

Yorke was miles better for us than Martinez has been, up to now. I love Martinez, and I'm really pleased for him, but winning the World Cup doesn't make him the best keeper in the world, any more than it would have made Harry Maguire the best central defender in Europe if we'd beaten Italy in the Euros.

Not sure I agree. Winning the world cup and the Copa America does make you the best keeper in the world if you are instrumental for winning those trophies. I'd argue that Argentina wouldn't have won those trophies if it wasn't for Martinez. A little fella called Messi might have played a part in it as well.

His form for us obviously has something to do with it, but its those performances in the major trophies that puts him above other Keepers currently.

[Drummond]

I’m trying to get this to scan:

Earth’s, Earth’s number one,
Earth’s numberer one

The World number one,
The World, the World number one...

[KevinGage]

The obvious destination is Spurs, new money incoming in and doubts increasing over Lloris.

No fucking way he goes to Spurs. He's as aware as anyone that he'd win naff all there!

They'd prob offer Fraser Forster, a youth player or two and £5 million.

Barrington Levy shitbidding again.

[astonvilla82]

Yorke was miles better for us than Martinez has been, up to now. I love Martinez, and I'm really pleased for him, but winning the World Cup doesn't make him the best keeper in the world, any more than it would have made Harry Maguire the best central defender in Europe if we'd beaten Italy in the Euros.

Not sure I agree. Winning the world cup and the Copa America does make you the best keeper in the world if you are instrumental for winning those trophies. I'd argue that Argentina wouldn't have won those trophies if it wasn't for Martinez. A little fella called Messi might have played a part in it as well.

His form for us obviously has something to do with it, but its those performances in the major trophies that puts him above other Keepers currently.

could imagine him saying to Messi,I am better than you, you little shit

[Footy-Vill]

They definitely don't get on.

Yep can see it's staged. The smiles and the eyes say it all.
If can work together for good of team they don't have to totally get on just a healthy respect.

[pauliewalnuts]

They definitely don't get on.

Yep can see it's staged. The smiles and the eyes say it all.
If can work together for good of team they don't have to totally get on just a healthy respect.

Fucking hell.

Where to even begin with this.

[PeterWithesShin]

He's right though. They nearly had a fight after that pic was taken, you can see it their eyes. The seething undercurrent of violence towards each other. The smiles of contempt.

[Hillbilly]

Bizarrely not in the world XI as best keeper. Went to Courtois.

That’s because they have their lips sewn to Real Madrid’s arse.

The world 11 is voted for by other players.

I am always highly suspicious where 1. FIFA and 2. Real Madrid are involved. Neither are organisations known for being ethically unimpeachable.

[Clampy]

They definitely don't get on.

Yep can see it's staged. The smiles and the eyes say it all.
If can work together for good of team they don't have to totally get on just a healthy respect.

Which one of you typed this nonsense?

[Axl Rose]

Did Olsen take that photo?

[adrenachrome]

He's right though. They nearly had a fight after that pic was taken, you can see it their eyes. The seething undercurrent of violence towards each other. The smiles of contempt.

Pretty sure that Unai is about to look at Emi askance. We are talking curled lip here, and Emi is on the verge of clenching his fists.

A picture's worth a thousand words.

[Dave]

To be fair, it is clearly staged.

The marketing people have asked them to stand in the same place to take a picture for the club.

Unai hasn't asked Emi for a picture for his Instagram.