In the first of two international Finals that hold significant interest for Aston Villa fans, goalkeeper Emi Martinez kept a clean sheet as Argentina defeated Douglas Luiz’s Brazil in the Copa America Final last night.
Maracanazoooooooooooo ๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/b5j9CgWAxs
— Emi Martรญnez (@emimartinezz1) July 11, 2021
With a 1am kick off, I only managed to just past half time, but Emi was solid and steady even if he wasn’t being tested as much as he had been in previous rounds.
Although most will focus on Lionel Messi breaking his international duck, the Man of the Tournament, with key saves and three penalty stops in the Semi shootout, is undoubtedly Emi and as he kept the clean sheet to end their 28-year wait to win the Copa, it made it four clean sheets for him personally – and that meant he was also the Tournament’s Golden Glove winner.
โข ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ penalty saves, including three in the semi-final.
โข ๐๐ข๐จ๐ฅ clean sheets, including one in the final.
โข The Golden Glove winner.
Proud of you, @EmiMartinezz1. ๐ฆ๐ท pic.twitter.com/aONichBvSb
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 11, 2021
Vital Villa’s Emi Martinez Forum Thread
Whilst Douglas Luiz will understandably be disappointed, I’m sure his time will come in future years, but as we focus on Emi – let’s not forget he didn’t win his first cap until June, and he’s lifted the Trophy with only eight caps to his name.
A remarkable impact in such a short period of time and an 85.71% save percentage can’t be argued with.
https://twitter.com/Ryan_UTV/status/1414171633728868352
Congratulations Emi, and a thoroughly deserved place in history.
At the end of the 2019/20 campaign, Emi’s record read 15 PL games across ten years with six loans spells – where he picked up winners medals for the FA Cup and Community Shield.
Fast forward to today…15 PL clean sheets equalling Brad Friedel’s record from 2009/10, eight international caps and the undisputed No 1, Copa America champion, national hero and Golden Glove winner. Oh, he’s also the first Argentine to win the Golden Glove at the Copa in its history.
What a difference a manager who trusts you to perform makes!
Another ๐๐๐ @EmiMartinezz1 performance. ๐#CopaAmรฉrica
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 11, 2021
And we aren’t finished there, only a couple of hours to go before England v Italy.
Tonight is the night. ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
All the best in the #EURO2020 final, @JackGrealish and @OfficialTM_3! ๐ pic.twitter.com/GDkb6gyZgx
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 11, 2021
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