Atletico Madrid star hails Aston Villa ‘animal’ after another staggering performance

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Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has hailed the impact of one Aston Villa star and labelled him as an ‘animal’.

Aston Villa had an outstanding campaign last season as the Midlands club finished in a UEFA Champions League spot under the tutelage of Unai Emery.

Emery joined a club in Villa who were teetering dangerously close to the relegation places under Steven Gerrard but the Spaniard worked his magic and propelled the club up the Premier League table to devastating effect.

One of the key performers during Emery’s time at the helm has been Emiliano Martinez and the goalkeeper has received praise for his performances at Copa America.

De Paul praises Martinez for Copa America performance

Argentina were taken all the way to penalties by Ecuador and when Lionel Messi’s spot kick hit the crossbar during the penalty shootout, things were looking bleak for the South American giants.

However, just as he did throughout the 2022 World Cup campaign which eventually saw Argentina lift the famous trophy in Qatar, Martinez was the hero again.

Lionel Scaloni’s side are into the semi-final after the heroics of the former Arsenal goalkeeper and Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul was full of praise for the Villa shot-stopper.

“We have an animal in goal,” midfielder Rodrigo De Paul told The Athletic after the game.

“What he is doing is crazy. He deserves it. He loves these colors. He gives us a lot of security and peace of mind.”

Martinez saved two Ecuadorian penalties after Messi’s panenka miss and Scaloni’s side are into the last four of the Copa America.

Martinez deserves all the credit he gets for outstanding performances

Pep Guardiola has labelled him as ‘exceptional’, Maurico Pochettino described him as amazing but the Villa shot stopper is not hailed as the best in the division.

However, the goalkeeper has been a consistent performer for the Villains since he completed his move to Villa Park back in the summer of 2020.

It is time that the Villa goalkeeper gets his praise and with rumours of Ederson’s departure to the Saudi Pro League, where he could become the highest paid goalkeeper in the world, Martinez should be in the conversation for the best shot-stopper in the division.