Aston Villa attacking midfielder Ross Barkley has raved about Emiliano Martinez, as quoted in The Guardian.
Martinez joined Villa from Premier League rivals Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The 28-year-old Argentine goalkeeper has started all four of the Villans’ Premier League games this season, and Barkley has been impressed.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder himself moved to Villa in the summer, signing a loan deal from Chelsea.
Barkley told the Guardian about Martinez: “A brilliant goalkeeper, really top-class.”
Big signing for Aston Villa
With Tom Heaton injured, Martinez has proved to be a big signing for Villa.
WhoScored has rated the 28-year-old’s performances at 7.35. The goalkeeper did well for Arsenal in the final weeks of last season when Bernd Leno was injured, and he has maintained that form for Villa this campaign.
It will be an interesting battle between Martinez and Heaton when the latter is fully match fit and ready to reclaim his place in the starting lineup.
Villa have won all four of the league games so far, and if they continue to get positive results, then manager Dean Smith may not consider changing his lineup.
Meanwhile, Barkley has shared what he and his Villa teammates were thinking during their 7-2 win against Liverpool at Villa Park in the Premier League on October 4.
The Chelsea-owned midfielder told The Guardian: “The game against Liverpool was the perfect way to get up and running. When it was 5-2, we were all saying: ‘We can go for more goals here, they’re up for the taking.’
“It could have been a lot more but 7-2 against the champions is a statement to everyone else in the league that we’re ready to kick on this season.”
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