Aston Villa registered a fine 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park in the Premier League on May 16.
Second-half goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara helped Unai Emery’s men seal a crucial win as they chase down UEFA Champions League qualification for next season.
After the match, as the Villa players completed a lap of honour of Villa Park thanking the fans for their support, No.1 Emi Martinez looked different. He was teary-eyed as he waved to the fans.
Many fans are speculating the Argentinian goalkeeper may potentially be on his way out of the club this summer and the clash with Spurs may be the last time he plays at Villa Park. So, was Martinez bidding farewell after five glorious years with the West Midlands outfit?
Martinez has developed into one of the most consistent players for Villa in the last few years. The veteran stopper is a key figure in the dressing room and Emery often relies on him to make match-defining saves.
So it goodbye for the 32-year-old in the coming weeks?
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Where will Martinez end up this summer?
As reports from Argentina, via journalist Gaston Edul, Martinez has offers from Saudi Arabia – but he isn’t interested in moving to the Saudi Pro League. He also has two proposals from European clubs and will probably make a call soon.
🗣️ “He’ll be a big loss to them”
🗣️ “That does look like he was waving goodbye for sure”Roy Keane and Jamie Redknapp on Emi Martinez waving to the Villa Park crowd with tears in his eyes 👋 pic.twitter.com/wNaMId6Cij
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2025
“We will see,” Emery told the reporters when asked about emotional Martinez.
“Of course, it’s the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”
If Martinez leaves, Emery will have a big headache to replace him with a goalkeeper of similar calibre. Also, Villa’s transfer activity may be restricted this summer as they have Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) concerns.
He joined Villa from Arsenal in 2020 and has helped the club rise up in the English top tier and also guided them to the Champions League this term.
Overall, Martinez has featured in 211 appearances for Villa to date. This season, he’s played 52 matches and maintained a 72.1% save percentage. In 36 Premier League outings this term, he’s mustered eight clean sheets.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported Villa have shown interest in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. But the Villans will have to fend off competition from Newcastle United and Arsenal to land the Spaniard this summer.
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