Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has expressed frustration with his performances in the Premier League this season, despite the team's promising start in the 2024-25 campaign. The 32-year-old, currently serving a suspension away from international duty with Argentina, has admitted that the number of goals he has conceded this term has affected his mindset.
Since leaving Arsenal, where he had limited opportunities, Martinez has enjoyed significant success with Aston Villa, including Champions League qualification and triumphs in both the World Cup and Copa America. His reputation has grown considerably, leading some pundits, including former goalkeeper David James, to suggest that Mikel Arteta made an error by allowing him to depart from the Gunners. Notably, Villa's shot-stopper has achieved three clean sheets this season, including in the Champions League, but has struggled domestically, with only one clean sheet in the Premier League while conceding nine goals in seven games.
In a recent interview, as reported by The Mirror, Martinez reflected on his commitment to improvement. “They are scoring a lot of goals against me in the Premier and it is something that affects me a lot,” he said. “I am a fan of zero goals, so I work a lot for it.” He highlighted the intensive work he has been doing with goalkeeper coach Javier García to enhance his performance.
Despite his personal challenges, Martinez remains determined to contribute to Villa's aspirations this season. He emphasised the importance of ambition, declaring, “I have no ceiling; I want to continue growing and I try to show it every weekend.” Following Villa's significant victory over Bayern Munich, he stated, “It's a statement. There's still a lot to play [for]. We want to qualify in the top eight.”
His sentiments were echoed by his appreciation for the Villa Park atmosphere, calling it the loudest he has experienced since joining the club. “I love playing here, I love the fans; this is a win for them.” With upcoming fixtures on the horizon, including a home match against Bologna in the Champions League, Martinez and Aston Villa are focused on building upon their success and striving for greater achievements this season.