Emi Martinez

[Beard82]

Its also shit because we go into one of the biggest games in the last 20 years with all the news about who is leaving us.

Because they have to leave us - because an accountant decided it

[tomd2103]

We seem to discount the possibility that players might actually want to leave for somewhere else.

[john2710]

It looks like he's going & it's a sad day. If we get £50m & spend £25m on his replacement on a 5 year contract, that £25m is spread over the 5 years. That means a £45m profit this year for PSR. The replacement would also probably be on a third of the salary, assuming Emi is our top earner.

The problem is how do you replace one of, if not the best goalkeeper on the planet. I trust Emery & Monchi to get it right.

[Brazilian Villain]

Because they have to leave us - because an accountant decided it

Accountancy is a noble profession. There's no need to cast aspersions on it with unfounded allegations.

[Beard82]

Because they have to leave us - because an accountant decided it

Accountancy is a noble profession. There's no need to cast aspersions on it with unfounded allegations.

Mate - Im a software developer - no one wants to see football clubs relegated due to not meeting web accessibility standards

[jacks_headband]

I don't think we ever have or ever will see a better keeper than Emi at the Villa, and his influence in the dressing room was massive. Gutted, never seriously thought he'd be off.

[dave.woodhall]

Did I miss something? When did he leave?

[Rory]

Did I miss something? When did he leave?

You can't deny one random picture and a bit of tabloid gossip, Dave. It's a fait accompli.

[Olneythelonely]

I mean, there’s video of him walking around the pitch, crying and waving. It doesn’t mean he’s definitely leaving, but you can understand why people might think it’s a sign.

[Beard82]

I mean - I woudlnt be shocked if Emi is one of those guys that crys after sex and is all emotional and stuff - but think there is a very good chance thats the last time we've seen him in a Villa shirt at Villa Park.

[Rory]

Joking aside, I wouldn't discount it, but I do question where our huge fucking wage bill comes from when we're selling a couple of our best players every year?

Who are we paying *that* much, and should we be making signings at all if it necessitates losing proven performers?

I hate that we're all having to become accountants to understand the fortunes of our club. (We should be able leave that kind of thing to the boring people like BV.)

Listening to some on here, in order to 'maximise market value' we'd be selling Martinez, Mings, McGinn, Watkins, if not more, this summer. That's the spine of our team. Last time we did that, we were pretty much relegated about three months later; and none of Vlaar, Delph, Benteke are as important as Tyrone, SJM and Watkins - with the best goalkeeper in the world thrown in.

[ROBBO]

What if it is in his financial interest to leave, you can bet he will be paid far far more playing in that league than Villa could ever pay him.

[ChicagoLion]

Its also shit because we go into one of the biggest games in the last 20 years with all the news about who is leaving us.

Because they have to leave us - because an accountant decided it

I think more likely decided by people who don’t really understand accounting.

[baddowvillans]

I can’t be the only one sick of our sporting director treating our best players like rubbish and then replacing them with mediocrity.  Luiz outstanding last season, we cash in.  Duran brilliant first half of this season,  we cash in.  Now Martinez and the pound signs are in their eyes.  It's becoming quite spiteful.

The cashing in is fuck all to do with the sporting director and all to do with trying to be PSR compliant, both in the league AND in Europe.

Would you have wanted Watkins cashed in on instead of Duran, we needed to do one of them?

Not when we happily accept cut price deals.  That's nothing do with PSR, but because we keep choosing to do it that way.  We need to start being clever in the market and not just roll over and accept the first offer that comes along.  Duran would have stayed if Emery hadn't insisted on messing him about.  As for Martinez,  look at his demeanor tonight.  Clearly doesn't want to go, yet the club are trying to force him out.

So you don't think Duran messed Emery and the club about and left because he was forcibly sold  into football slavery in Saudi Arabia.  He could probably have gone to one of any number of top European clubs but he wanted MONEY!

[Dante Lavelli]

What if it is in his financial interest to leave, you can bet he will be paid far far more playing in that league than Villa could ever pay him.

Another poster wisely pointed out that his first big* pay cheque was probably signed when he renewed his contract at Villa in Jan 2022 before that he was a reserve keeper on loan at Oxford United and Getafe.  This is his chance to sort out a few generations of the Martinez family.

*I appreciated he was never badly paid.