Aston Villa's Emi Martinez makes 'right choice' transfer confession on eve of Europa League final

Emi Martinez believes Villa’s push to the Europa League final is further evidence he made “the right choice” to stay with the club last summer.

Argentina international Martinez, 33, was close to a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United towards the end of the summer transfer window last year.

But United signed Senne Lammens and Martinez spent a sixth season at Villa Park, where he has played an influential role in helping Unai Emery’s side to Wednesday’s Europa League final against SC Freiburg in Istanbul.

Martinez had bid an emotional farewell to Villa supporters at the end of last term, only for his story at the club to continue.

“I say goodbye and I cry when I left family from Argentina to England as well and I’m still with family,” Martinez said on the eve of the final in Turkey.

“Sometimes football can change managers come and go. In football people move around, it doesn’t mean I don’t have full respect and love for the club.

“I had a commitment with Aston Villa, I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa and I won two golden gloves. I will always and forever love this club no matter what. Some day I’ll retire and someone else will go between the sticks.”

The popular shot-stopper, an Argentina World Cup winner in 2022 while a Villa player, has clocked up 255 appearances for the club.

Martinez pointed to Villa’s achievements under Emery - having reached the final and confirmed Champions League football for next season - despite minimal transfer activity last summer.

The goalkeeper added: “We are in a European Final, in the Champions League again with all the circumstances and the ups and downs, the budget we had this year. We were among the lowest spenders in Premier League, but we have a top coach, a top captain and a decent core of the team.

“When we stick together and fight together we can beat anybody. I am really proud to stay and I made the right choice.”