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Emi Martinez reveals his Aston Villa bet with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has revealed that he takes wagers with the club's strikers in order to keep up competitive levels throughout the course of a season. Martinez, who has won the Yashin Trophy in each of the last two years, has been in goal at Villa Park since arriving from Arsenal in 2021.
In that time, the Argentine has won the World Cup with his country and established himself as one of the best stoppers in Europe and beyond - indeed THE best. That has, in part, been driven by competition generated from within the Villa squad, which has elevated itself from relegation threatened to Champions League competing in the space of two seasons.
Martinez has challenged his striker colleagues, Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, to score more goals than he keeps clean sheets - and, according to the man himself, he bets watches that he can secure more shut-outs!
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“My coaches also send a lot of positive vibes, by giving the players freedom. [Argentina manager] Lionel Scaloni doesn’t intervene when the players speak, while Unai Emery likes to take the initiative. He lowers the pressure, and I always speak after him," Martinez told L'Equipe.
“Before big games, I remind the guys where they come from, the sacrifices they’ve made and the dreams they had as kids. In the dressing room, I never shout, I support. I like to take the pressure from the opposing fans so that my teammates can play freely. With the strikers, I bet watches that I will have more clean sheets than they will score goals. Pushing my guys in a good spirit is the best way to push myself.”
Martinez, who has a contract with Villa until 2029 having signed fresh terms in the summer, has stated he remains loyal to the club which has offered him the platform to perform at the highest level - both for his club and for his country.
“Earlier in my career, when I was on loan, I couldn’t express myself as much, although I’ve always been very mature," he added. “Since arriving at Aston Villa, I’ve embraced these new responsibilities. That’s why I’m staying loyal to this club, it’s allowed me to reach a higher level.”
