Why ‘fan of zero goals’ Emi Martinez is feeling frustrated – with World Cup-winning Argentine goalkeeper setting ‘best’ target at Aston Villa

The Villans have fared admirably through the opening weeks of the new season, with a fifth-place standing taken up in the Premier League table after taking 14 points from seven games. They have also eased past Young Boys and stunned Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Unai Emery’s side did, however, concede 10 goals through eight matches prior to keeping back-to-back clean sheets against Bayern and Manchester United heading into the latest international break. That run has helped to get Martinez back on track, as he demands the highest standards of himself.

World Cup winner Martinez has not headed off with Argentina this time around, as he serves an international ban, and has told ESPN of the past, present and immediate future at Villa: “They are scoring a lot of goals against me in the Premier League and it is something that affects me a lot. I am a fan of zero goals, so I work a lot for it. With Javier Garcia (goalkeeper coach) we worked a lot, 40 or 50 minutes reacting to the ball, concentrating only on the ball and today the truth was that it was very good for me.

“I am a sucker for continuing to grow, for being the best, for winning everything with Aston Villa; I set out to play in the Champions League with Villa and I was able to achieve it. With the same selection. I have no ceiling; I want to continue growing and I try to show it every weekend.”

While Argentina ready themselves to face Bolivia in 2026 World Cup qualifying, Martinez is counting down the days to the resumption of domestic action – with Villa set to take in a Premier League trip to Fulham to Saturday.