Why There Are Still Doubts If 'World Number One' Will Remain Villa's Number One
July 2, 2026 · Global
Emiliano Martinez's future at Aston Villa is uncertain as he continues to perform well for Argentina at the World Cup, with potential interest from other clubs.
Emiliano Martinez has made history at Aston Villa, but will he be part of the club's future? Argentina continue their World Cup defense against Cape Verde on Friday, with Martinez bidding to become the fourth goalkeeper to win the tournament twice. The 33-year-old has been central to Villa's revival since joining from Arsenal for £17m in 2020, and they ended a 30-year wait for silverware by winning the Europa League last month. Despite being close to a move last summer, Martinez may still leave the club this year. Villa are open to letting him go while seeking to cut salary budgets and reduce the average age of the squad. Manager Unai Emery's transfer priorities actually lie elsewhere - he wants a winger, right-back, striker and midfielder - but a sale would help Villa's ability to comply with the Premier League's profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR). Selling Martinez - with interest from Juventus - would pose few problems, but he will be 34 in September and a decision needs to be made. There is no doubt about his ability, and he remains one of Villa's most important players - overcoming a broken finger in the warm-up before the 3-0 Europa League final win over Freiburg to help Villa make history. He looked like he wanted to leave last season, with Manchester United interested, and there is a feeling that there could be a farewell this year. Ruben Amorim - United's manager at the time - wanted Martinez last summer but was turned down by the club, who instead opted to sign the younger and cheaper Senne Lammens. As the deadline approached, Emery left Martinez out of the squad as Villa lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Martinez spoke about his failed move to United for the first time last month - and still left the exit door open. "Sometimes football can change; managers can come and go. In football people change places," he said. "That doesn't mean I don't have full respect for the club. I have a commitment to Aston Villa. I was a World Cup winner with Aston Villa. I have won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club. We have a great coach, a great captain and a good core. When we unite and fight together, I think we can beat anyone. I'm very proud to stay - I made the right choice." Villa have planned for Martinez's possible exit. There is interest in Manchester City's James Trafford, 23, but much depends on his situation at the Etihad Stadium after returning last summer from Burnley, only for City to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma. Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro, 31, is also a concern, along with Zion Suzuki, the 23-year-old Japan international from Parma. Marco Bizot was a good enough replacement for Martinez last season, but if the Argentinian leaves, Villa will need a new main goalkeeper. Bizot was called up three times suddenly when Martinez was unable to play against Feyenoord, Brighton and Nottingham Forest. However, at 35 years old, he is not a long-term option. Martinez played 2,835 minutes in the Premier League last season - the lowest in the last five years - and made the most mistakes leading to goals (three). His 95 saves - for a save percentage of 71% - were on par with previous seasons, with the 39 goals he conceded the second-fewest in the last five years. Over the last five seasons, only Ederson, David Raya, Alisson, Robert Sanchez and Nick Pope have conceded fewer goals per 90 minutes than Martinez's 1.27. Only Liverpool's Jordan Pickford (21.8) and Alisson (12.7) have prevented more goals in the same period than Martinez (12.5). Mistakes leading to shots (16) are the fifth most in the league in the last five years, behind Jose Sa (19), Nick Pope (17), Raya (22) and Sanchez (24). Only Sanchez (nine) and Bart Verbruggen (11) made more errors leading to goals. However, in his 256 appearances for Villa, he has clearly been an important member of the team's core and helped turn them into genuine contenders for a top-four spot. Martinez was introduced as "world number one" when the team's name was read out at Villa Park - but there are still doubts over whether he will be Villa's number one when the season starts.