- Emi Martínez fought back tears in his pre-match press conference while reflecting on his journey to Aston Villa
- He reveals he “made the right choice” in remaining at Villa Park after last summer’s fiasco, and insists that he has never lost his love for the club
Emi Martínez is hoping to make his dreams come true on Wednesday night, as Aston Villa have the opportunity to end their 30-year wait for a major trophy. The Argentina international fought back tears whilst reflecting on his journey to the top, and reveals his profound love for the club.
With this season being his sixth in the Midlands, Martínez is desperate to cap off the 2025/26 campaign with European silverware, a target he set out when he first joined.
Having been between the sticks through Villa’s transformation, the World Cup winner has played a vital role, establishing himself as one of the best keepers in football.
In his pre-match press conference, ahead of the Europa League final, Martínez was visibly emotional looking back on his journey up until this point, and is now determined to make history in Istanbul.
“I’ve been with McGinn, Konsa, Watkins, Mings and Cashy since I’ve been with the club.
“We’ve had so many years and so many games together, fighting from mid-table, to European places, to semi-finals, and now we’re in a final.
“I think we deserve it. I think the fans deserve it. The manager has had five finals in this competition, and we wouldn’t wish for anyone else on the bench tomorrow to lead us in a European final.”
On last summer’s transfer conundrum
Last summer, Martínez’s future was in doubt, with the expectation he was going to leave. Manchester United were heavily interested, but opted for Senne Lammens instead. Looking back on the situation, the 33-year-old says he “made the right choice” remaining at the club.
“Well, I say goodbye and I cry when I left my family from Argentina to England as well,” he said about his tears in the final home game of last season.
“Sometimes football can change; managers can come in and go. You know, in football, people move around the place. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have full respect for the club. I love the club.
“I have a commitment with Aston Villa. I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa, I have won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club. One day I am going to retire, so someone else will need to be between the sticks.
“Listen, I am in a European final, and we have got Champions League again with all the circumstances that we have had and battles we have had this year. We are one of the lowest spenders in the Premier League.
“We have a top coach, a top captain and a decent core of the team. When we stick together and when we fight together, I think that we can beat anybody. I am really proud to stay – I made the right choice.”
ReadAstonVilla verdict
Martínez stands on the edge of history tonight. A chance to cement his legacy at Villa as a player who ended their 30-year drought for a trophy. Through his time at B6, he has achieved World Cup glory and individual honors.
Now, his focus is entirely on securing a historic piece of silverware for the club that made it happen for him. Under a world-class manager, this tight-knit squad remains completely united and confident. Villa supporters have waited three long decades for this moment.
Martínez is ready to deliver, with a victory fulfilling his ultimate dream.
