Matt Maher: Emi Martinez deal shows he really is irreplaceable at Aston Villa

Emi Martinez signing a new long-term contract further added to the positive mood heading into tomorrow’s home opener against Arsenal. The announcement of the new deal was pure theatre, Martinez announcing it himself at the start of a meet-and-greet to which a few hundred supporters had been invited.

A portion of the newly-refurbished club shop at Villa Park had been transformed into what looked a little like the set of Stars in Their Eyes, the goalkeeper walking through an entrance at the back of the stage. All that was missing was the dry ice.

Media had been invited, with the promise of a few minutes with Martinez post-event, though not briefed on the news to come. Yet when two of the most powerful men in Villa’s football department arrived in Monchi and Damian Vidagany, together with the player’s wife and children, you did not need to be Carl Bernstein to realise something far grander than a simple fan signing session was afoot. Both Monchi and Vidagany spoke in glowing terms of Martinez. The latter described the Argentina international as the best in the world, while the former went even further, suggesting he already deserves to be spoken about with the all-time greats.

While Martinez currently has the awards to back-up the first argument, the second feels a little more of a stretch, though it should be noted the 31-year-old is now the winner of three international tournaments.

Either way, the point is rather irrelevant. The debate on whether Martinez is or isn’t currently the best goalkeeper on the planet can be left to the bores on social media.

What cannot be disputed is he is the best goalkeeper for Villa, a player whose mentality and personality has been essential to the success of the team since Emery took charge 21 months ago.

He is one of two players, together with Ollie Watkins, who are pretty much irreplaceable. Hence the big show for him reaffirming his commitment ahead of the club’s biggest season for decades.