Aston Villa star admits huge goal ‘won’t be easy’, and he may already be searching elsewhere

Ciaran McCarthy
Emi Martinez, Aston Villa, January 2023

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has said he ‘wants to win the Champions league with Aston Villa’ but admitted he has eyed other opportunities to take him to that goal.

Martinez has long been one of Villa’s most important players. He was one of the best performing goalkeepers in the Premier League during his first season with the club.

Indeed, he kept 15 clean sheets and followed that up with 11 the next season. Alongside his starring role with the Villans, he’s also established himself as a quality international asset.

Since becoming Argentina’s no.1, Martinez has won the Copa America, the World Cup and won the Golden Glove in the latter, after denying what would surely have been a winner for France in the final.

The standards the Villa man has set are high, and it’s clear he has lofty expectations of himself. Indeed, he detailed the next big step in his career in an interview with L’Equipe.

“I want to win the Champions League,” he said.

“I would like to do it with Aston Villa, but it won’t be easy because the club is still in the development phase. I won the best title there is with the selection and I am aiming for the most important club.”

Indeed, it seems he is grateful for the club for the success they have brung him. As such, it seems obvious that he’d want to stay in order to reach his goals, given the faith shown in him.

However, it seems he could already have his eyes elsewhere as he chases his goal.

“I would love to win a title with Aston Villa. But it’s complicated… I have the feeling that today I have the level to play in the Champions League and try to win it,” he added.

“I considered several times to come and play in L1, being younger. PSG is a big club with great players. Who wouldn’t like to play there?”

Indeedm Villa will hope their rise is a fast one, or they could see their crucial asset leave. Under Unai Emery, though, it’s entirely possible that the club can challenge for those types of honours in the coming seasons.

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