Argentina goalkeeping hero Emi Martinez sets Aston Villa trophy goal after signing new long-term contract

Martinez, who is now 31, initially joined Aston Villa from Arsenal in September 2020. Since then, he has consistently proven himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. His remarkable first season saw him secure 15 clean sheets, which earned him the club's Player of the Year award. His previous contract, signed in January 2022, was set to expire in June 2027. However, with this new extension, Martinez has added two more years to his stay - a clear indication of his desire to continue playing a pivotal role in Villa’s ambitions.

At Villa, Martinez has also cemented his position as Argentina’s first-choice goalkeeper, a role that has brought him significant success on the international stage. Since taking on this mantle, he has led Argentina to two Copa America victories and was instrumental in their triumphant 2022 World Cup campaign. His performances earned the Golden Glove award in each, highlighting his status as one of the world’s best goalkeepers. This season is particularly significant for Villa as they prepare to return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in years.

After committing his future to Villa, Martinez spoke about his motivations for staying put. "Since I joined the club, my dream was to be in the Champions League. We have achieved that," he said.

"Like I said, this club is moving forward every year," he continued. "I achieved everything in international football with Argentina, and I still think we can win a trophy here. That is something missing in this club. And I will have a go here in the next four years and achieve that."

Martinez’s new contract comes at an exciting time for Aston Villa, who have begun their 2024-25 campaign on a positive note by securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory against West Ham. Villa’s next challenge in the Premier League comes against Martinez’s former club, Arsenal, on Sunday at Villa Park.