Former Aston Villa star Stiliyan Petrov spoke on talkSPORT (Friday, 12:10 pm) about Dean Smith’s signing of the summer.
The Villans ended last season really well to survive in the Premier League. They have continued their form to the new campaign, and are sitting pretty in second place after winning each of their first four league games.
Villa had a fantastic transfer window. Their new signings have all played a big part in their early-season success.
Ollie Watkins scored a brilliant hat-trick against Liverpool, Ross Barkley has been immense, while Emi Martinez, besides saving a penalty, has kept three clean sheets in four games.
Petrov: Martinez is the signing of the summer
Petrov has delivered his verdict on the former Arsenal man, and he feels that he is one of the best signings of the summer transfer window.
He said: “Tom Heaton started last season very well, and he made a difference, Villa wanted that since his injury. In Martinez, they’ve got a solid goalkeeper that gives confidence to the back four and the team altogether. He is one of the best signings of the summer and for Villa this summer.”
Martinez spent a decade at Arsenal but he was never close to the first team until the the final few games of last season. The Argentine quickly became one of the Gunners’ best players, and he played a key part in helping them win the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
Arsenal could not have had two world-class goalkeepers in Martinez and Bernd Leno. They had to offload one of them, and Villa’s interest came in at a convenient time for Mikel Arteta last month.
At just £17 million (BBC), Martinez is proving to be a fantastic signing for the Villans. Smith’s men will be aiming for big things this season, and the Argentine’s quality in goal will help them go a long way in achieving their ambitions.
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