Matt Maher: Aston Villa must think very carefully if faced with Emi Martinez decision

Emi Martinez is one of the best goalkeepers in Villa’s history.

On that point, you will find no arguments among supporters.

Sure, there might be some debate on where he sits precisely on a list which also contains the likes of Jimmy Rimmer, Nigel Spink and Mark Bosnich. But no-one could disagree the club’s first World Cup winner and custodian throughout their remarkable rise under Unai Emery is one of the greatest to have ever worn the gloves in claret and blue.

That’s something worth remembering when considering what might happen with Martinez over the coming weeks.

For the second straight summer, his future is the subject of speculation, albeit the circumstances are a little different to 12 months ago.

This time last year, the smart money was on him leaving. A series of stories - many of them emanating from Argentina - had him linked with Atletico Madrid and Manchester United. There was a sense Martinez was actively pushing to move and Villa, eager to ease their financial fair play headache, were happy to welcome offers.

Yet none arrived and Martinez stayed, going on to play his part in the club’s best season for at least three decades.

That’s something else which shouldn’t be forgotten, now Juventus are the team weighing up a move. Until the Italian club, or anyone else, actually makes a firm bid which either matches or comes close to matching Villa’s valuation, there’s no discussion to be had.

Yet let’s suppose - for the sake of the argument - one was forthcoming, one which caused Emery to stop and think. What then?

Much, you suspect, would depend on the thoughts of Martinez, though getting inside the 33-year-old’s head is easier said than done.

Villa’s No.1 can be a complex character and relations with team-mates have, on occasion, become strained.

What no-one disputes, however, is his insatiable desire to win and the impact his unwavering belief has had on Villa should not be overlooked.

It was Martinez, let’s not forget, who first claimed the club could reach the Champions League shortly after he joined from Arsenal. It prompted laughter at the time from some observers. These days? Not so much.

Emery and Martinez might be different characters in many ways but one thing they have always shared is the demand to always strive for better.

There’s no doubt the past season wasn’t the most consistent of Martinez’s career. There were a few more errors and in the first half of the campaign in particular, a keeper who had always been strong at set pieces looked a little weaker than before.

Yet it never got remotely close to the point where a discussion was required about his place in the team. In six years at the club, it never has and while there’s surely no other keeper to have sustained so many niggles in warm-ups, across the whole piece Martinez’s durability has been hugely impressive. He’s also just played and won a European final with a broken finger.

That story probably sums Martinez up better than most. In the biggest moments, when everything is on the line, he typically delivers. Of course, some of his antics can frustrate but when it comes to the crunch, he’s the kind of player you want on your side. There aren’t too many keepers, in the Premier League or in Europe, you’d rather have between the posts.

With Martinez on the books, Villa have since 2020 had no real cause to worry about one of the most important positions in the team.

That’s the kind of luxury you’d need to think very, very carefully about risking, even should the opportunity arise.