Emi Martinez reveals what has been 'hurting' him about Aston Villa
Emi Martinez admits Aston Villa's lack of clean sheets this season is causing him hurt because of the high standards he sets himself.
The 32-year-old has played a key role in Villa's progress under Unai Emery, who has guided the club from 17th - when he took over in November 2023 - to fourth place last season. This is Martinez's fifth season at Villa and he is desperate to lift silverware having already played in Europe and the Champions League this campaign.
Helping Villa to qualify for Europe's elite club competition no doubt played a part in Martinez being awarded both the Yashin Trophy and The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper awards for the second time last year.
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"I was talking to my agent, my dad and my wife, saying that you can’t really enjoy it," Martinez said about winning his awards on Villa TV. "It’s game after game after game. Once you get to that level you need to perform week in, week out.
"Everyone expects you to perform and everyone is waiting for you to make a mistake, saying 'that's the best 'keeper making mistakes'. We are struggling to keep clean sheets and that’s hurting me a lot because I demand a lot in myself."
Villa have only kept two clean sheets in the league this season, in home matches against Manchester United and Southampton. But they've conceded in all but one of their last 16 away league games, which came in the 2-0 victory against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium back in mid-April.
So far this season, Villa have shipped a total of 32 goals in 20 matches, which is the most in the top half of the table. Four sides beneath them have also conceded fewer goals.
