Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez recently opened up about the transfer drama he experienced last summer, particularly when it seemed he was on the verge of leaving Villa Park for Manchester United.
Following Villa’s last home game of the previous season against Tottenham, Martinez left the field in tears, anticipating it might have been his final game for the club.
He missed the squad in August for the loss against Crystal Palace, just a day before the transfer window closed. Despite the interest from then-United boss Ruben Amorim, the club ultimately opted for Senne Lammens, leaving Martinez at Villa.
“I say goodbye and cried when I left my family in Argentina for England,” Martinez shared. “Sometimes, football can shift; managers come and go. This doesn’t diminish my respect for the club. I love this club.”
“I am committed to Aston Villa. I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa, and I’ve achieved two Golden Gloves with the club. My love for this club is everlasting.”
“One day, I will retire, and someone else will take my place as the goalkeeper.”
Martinez spoke ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final against Freiburg in Istanbul, having helped Villa secure a spot in the Champions League for the second time in three years while currently sitting fourth in the Premier League.
Villa aims to end a 30-year trophy drought and capture their first major European title since winning the European Cup in 1982.
The 33-year-old Argentina international expressed, “Here I am in a European final, and we’ve qualified for the Champions League again amid all the challenges we’ve faced this year. We are among the lowest spenders in the Premier League.”
“With a top coach, an excellent captain, and a solid core team, I believe that together we can overcome any challenge. I’m incredibly proud to stay—I made the right choice.”