‘Make a lot of money’ - Emi Martinez avoids criticism for Aston Villa transfer push despite World Cup-winning goalkeeper having obvious ‘agenda’

At 33 years of age, Martinez should - given the position that he plays - still have plenty of football left in him at the very highest level. Having graced another World Cup final in the summer of 2026, he has hinted at bowing out with the Albiceleste after earning 67 caps.

A relatively late breakthrough was made when competing alongside the likes of South American GOAT Lionel Messi, with a senior debut in the Argentina camp only being enjoyed in 2021. A switch to Villa had been made by that stage, allowing regular first-team outings to be enjoyed by the former Arsenal shot-stopper.

Martinez has seen his stock soar across the last six years or so, with a global title and two Copa America triumphs being complemented by a couple of Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards. Interest in his services has been shown from European heavyweights such as Manchester United and Juventus.

Villa have been helped into Champions League competition, while winning the Europa League last season and ending a 30-year wait for major silverware, but that has not been enough to convince Martinez that his short and long-term future remains in the West Midlands.

Having missed out on a move in 2025, more efforts are being made to find a new home in the current transfer window. Replacements have been drafted in at Villa Park, including Japanese custodian Zion Suzuki, but no deal has been done ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Martinez has - after sitting out Villa’s opening game of the 2026-27 campaign - attracted criticism from some quarters, as he seeks to join Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa in severing ties with the Unai Emery’s squad, but not everybody has been quick to stick the boot in.

Ex-Villa midfielder Houghton - who has been speaking to GOAL via Covers.com, where users can compare prediction market apps and their key features - said when asked about Martinez’s push for the exits: “I never really question players that come from abroad because they've got different mentalities.

“It's like the Brazilian lads. They want to make as much money as they can. They want to look after their families and then they want to go and enjoy themselves. I can't find anything wrong with that.

“They've got all the priorities the way they want them and who are we to judge them any other way? That's how I see them. They come over, they go away for a number of years, play in a variety of countries, make a lot of money and then they go and look after their own back home and then they enjoy themselves.

“I don't know why Emi wants to leave. He's been such a pivotal player, pivotal character for Aston Villa. He's been absolutely brilliant. Not everyone's cup of tea, I would imagine, with some of his antics but I like him.

“He's a winner. I like winners. I like people who try to win but there just seems to be an agenda there. I don't know. I think the only people who know that is him, his agent and obviously the club.”

Martinez still has three years left to run on his contract at Villa, through to 2029, but there appears to be little chance of that agreement being honoured. His asking price is said to have been dropped, in a bid to find a solution that suits all parties, and a sale should be a matter of days away.

It could be that Ollie Watkins joins his long-time team-mate in treading a path away from Villa Park, with the England international striker - who has also spent six years in his current surroundings - being heavily linked with a switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.