Tony Cascarino has praised Aston Villa in The Times for signing Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The former Villa striker has been impressed by the impact Martinez has made on the Villans since his move from Arsenal.
According to The Guardian, it cost Dean Smith’s side £20 million in transfer fees to secure the services of the 28-year-old Argentine from the Gunners.
Cascarino wrote in The Times: “Another factor is Emiliano Martínez, the goalkeeper. He was excellent for Arsenal at the end of last season and Villa were the one club brave enough to go after him.
“He looks calm and collected, holds things together and it makes such a difference to the team when you have a goalkeeper and a back four who trust each other.”
Good signing for Aston Villa
Martinez has started all four of Villa’s Premier League games this season, and the Argentine has done well in them, with WhoScored giving him an average rating of 7.35.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper looks calm and composed between the sticks, and that must be very reassuring to the central defenders in front of him.
The Argentine did well for the Gunners in the final weeks of last season, and showed that he can be a success at any Premier League club as a first-choice goalkeeper.
With Tom Heaton also a quality goalkeeper, Villa manager Smith will have a very healthy competition in front of goal this season.
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