Who is Aston Villa's greatest ever goalkeeper?

[WarszaVillan]

1. Martinez
2. Rimmer
3. Bosnich

Spink was great, not just for that night but as our keeper for many years. However, he had many weaknesses, not least with crosses and commanding his area. During his time he lost his place to a number of pretenders (Poole, Day, Butler...) although saw them all off until Bosnich took over.

[gpbarr]

i think the vote reflects the average age of the H&V crowd - for me, Jimmy Rimmer will always be number 1 on my tee sheet. A legend

[PeterWithesShin]

Rimmer was great, rarely threw one in, also rarely did a worldie. Emi has that something extra though. It's not just the saves, it's the aura. He's already beaten some players before they even shoot.

[Halfway to Moseley]

It’s Martinez.

At his best, without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world. And therefore probably the only time in living memory that the best player in the world in their position played for Aston Villa.

You could make a case for peak McGrath - but even then you had the likes of Baresi, Maldini and AC Milan-era Desailly knocking around.

[Aldridge Villa]

It’s Martinez.

At his best, without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world. And therefore probably the only time in living memory that the best player in the world in their position played for Aston Villa.

You could make a case for peak McGrath - but even then you had the likes of Baresi, Maldini and AC Milan-era Desailly knocking around.

Think reference to “at his best” speaks volumes. Too many mistakes for my liking overall. Very good keeper but behind Rimmer and Bosnich for me.

[saunders_heroes]

It’s Martinez.

At his best, without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world. And therefore probably the only time in living memory that the best player in the world in their position played for Aston Villa.

You could make a case for peak McGrath - but even then you had the likes of Baresi, Maldini and AC Milan-era Desailly knocking around.

Think reference to “at his best” speaks volumes. Too many mistakes for my liking overall. Very good keeper but behind Rimmer and Bosnich for me.

All keepers make mistakes, including Rimmer and Bosnich.

[HK Villan]

+1 for Jimmy Rimmer.  Always inspired confidence between the sticks and made so many incredible saves. 

I remember the feeling of trepidation when he waved at the bench in Rotterdam to come off, but even that worked out well because I'm not sure his arms were long enough or had Spink's telescopic extensions to stop that shot from Rummenigge.

[Ian.]

It’s Martinez.

At his best, without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world. And therefore probably the only time in living memory that the best player in the world in their position played for Aston Villa.

You could make a case for peak McGrath - but even then you had the likes of Baresi, Maldini and AC Milan-era Desailly knocking around.

Think reference to “at his best” speaks volumes. Too many mistakes for my liking overall. Very good keeper but behind Rimmer and Bosnich for me.

All keepers make mistakes, including Rimmer and Bosnich.

If any of our former keepers had to endure t he style of play we do today, which is edge of seat stuff in and around your area, they’d be riddled with mistakes. All the things we were taught, do not play across the goal mouth, playing to the centre half even though he’s surrounded etc. risk and reward. Image Bosnian today!

[TonyD]

Emi hasn’t single handily saved his way to us winning the European Cup. Yet.
So until he does it will be Spinksie. 

[Aldridge Villa]

It’s Martinez.

At his best, without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world. And therefore probably the only time in living memory that the best player in the world in their position played for Aston Villa.

You could make a case for peak McGrath - but even then you had the likes of Baresi, Maldini and AC Milan-era Desailly knocking around.

Think reference to “at his best” speaks volumes. Too many mistakes for my liking overall. Very good keeper but behind Rimmer and Bosnich for me.

All keepers make mistakes, including Rimmer and Bosnich.

Can’t recall Rimmer making too many.

[Halfway to Moseley]

It’s Martinez.

At his best, without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world. And therefore probably the only time in living memory that the best player in the world in their position played for Aston Villa.

You could make a case for peak McGrath - but even then you had the likes of Baresi, Maldini and AC Milan-era Desailly knocking around.

Think reference to “at his best” speaks volumes. Too many mistakes for my liking overall. Very good keeper but behind Rimmer and Bosnich for me.

All keepers make mistakes, including Rimmer and Bosnich.

If any of our former keepers had to endure t he style of play we do today, which is edge of seat stuff in and around your area, they’d be riddled with mistakes. All the things we were taught, do not play across the goal mouth, playing to the centre half even though he’s surrounded etc. risk and reward. Image Bosnian today!

Bosnich was great with his hands but often looked like he’d never kicked a football before. I reckon he’d have struggled to do more than 5 keeps uppys.

[Hopadop]

Emi hasn’t single handily saved his way to us winning the European Cup. Yet.
So until he does it will be Spinksie. 

That was my thinking. It's all well and good fancy danning around in the Premier League, but can you do it on a wet Wednesday in Rotterdam?

So it has to be and it is European and Super Cup winning Big Nigel Spink.

[PeterWithesShin]

Rimmer made mistakes, difference is that most of our games back then weren't shown on TV. And certainly weren't dissected like they are now. So we tend to forget them, especially for players we like.

A one on one in the last minute with everything on the line, I want Emi there every time much as I love and respect Rimmer.

[Exeter 77]

The era they played in tends to define goalkeepers. Sam Hardy and Nigel Sims played at a time when they didn't get as much protection as those in later years. Jimmy Rimmer and Nigel Spink were able to pick up back passes and didn't have be adept with their feet. Bosnich's early career allowed him to handle back passes but the law change in the summer of 1992 exposed his footballing ability. Emi Martinez is probably a far better footballer than his predecessors which allows him play the sweeper role and become involved in the way we play under Unai Emery. Martinez is definitely our best keeper since Rimmer and definitely ahead on Spink, who rarely left his line as he got older, and Bosnich, because of his kicking.

[PeterWithesShin]

There's even things like for a big part of his career Rimmer was playing when keepers didn't wear gloves, now they wear gloves that would fit Brother Lee Love.