Major Emiliano Martinez transfer reveal made by Aston Villa team-mate after Man Utd saga
Emi Buendia spoke out on Emi Martinez after the Argentine made a number of crucial saves in Aston Villa’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth at Villa Park
Emi Buendía acknowledges that the summer transfer window may have disrupted Emi Martínez, but insists the goalkeeper is now completely focused at Aston Villa. The 33-year-old produced a vital penalty stop in Villa’s 4-0 triumph over Bournemouth whilst the score remained 2-0, before Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen sealed the victory on Sunday.
Buendía’s free-kick broke the deadlock, with Amadou Onana extending the advantage later in the opening period. Nevertheless, it was Bournemouth who fashioned the first significant opportunity of the match, as Martínez thwarted Evanilson from inside the penalty area.
At the beginning of the second period, Bournemouth intensified the pressure, but Martínez delivered a magnificent stop to palm Alex Scott’s deflected strike from beneath the crossbar and divert it away for a corner.
READ MORE: John McGinn reveals secret to Aston Villa longevity and makes ‘uncomfortable’ confessionREAD MORE: Unai Emery lifts lid on Ollie Watkins meeting amid Aston Villa form
Shortly afterwards, following a Morgan Rogers handball, Martínez emerged victorious in a duel with Antoine Semenyo from the penalty spot, denying the winger’s effort in front of the Holte End in the 67th minute.
“When you have the best goalkeeper in the world in that kind of moment, with the penalty the game could change, but he did his work and helped the team push for the last minutes,” Buendia said.
“After the break and the transfer window, he has shown everyone he is really focused in the club. I think he showed from the first five years he has been here, he always tries his best. He is training like the best, pushing himself to the best places.
“Like anyone, he can make a mistake. It happened in Liverpool, but he steps up and works on it. It is really important to have someone with that kind of mentality in the team because he pushes all the squad to be better.”
Martínez came close to departing Villa during the summer transfer window, and was receptive to a switch away from the club, with Manchester United considering the prospect of bringing him in.
However, United proceeded with a deal for Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp instead, leaving Martínez at Villa when the deadline passed. The Argentine had been omitted from the squad to face Crystal Palace the day before the window shut due to doubts surrounding his future, and was later relieved of his vice-captaincy role.
Fellow countryman Buendía, however, reckons Martínez has now regained his focus completely.
“Yes, of course,” Buendia said when asked if Martinez is now more settled. “Sometimes these kinds of things, emotionally, can have an impact. But he tries the best, he works the best, and he showed his quality in the game. Not just the penalty, but the save from the deflection – that was unbelievable.
“When I saw the replay after, it was incredible – the strength and the reflexes to jump and avoid the goal. It is really important. We feel like we have a strong man in the goal.
“When Marto has played, he has been fantastic, and it shows the level of this squad. It is the mentality we want for everyone.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
