Martinez was the subject of jeers every time he touched the ball throughout the game, but it was the Argentina international who had the last laugh thanks to late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins. Arsenal were the dominant side in the first-half and Villa’s keeper was on hand to make a string of fine saves.
He played his part in ensuring Mikel Arteta’s men missed out on the chance to go top and put some day light between themselves and Liverpool, who had lost at home to Crystal Palace earlier on in the afternoon. In turn, reigning champions Manchester City now top the table.
That is of little concern to Martinez though, who is fully focused on helping Villa qualify for the Champions League. Unai Emery’s side sit in the much-coveted fourth position with just five league games left to play.
Their latest win over Arsenal will undoubtedly sting the Emirates faithful that little bit more given Emery is a former boss and Martinez their former goalkeeper. Despite the boos from the crowd, the Villa shot-stopper admitted there was no ill-feeling from him towards the Gunners.
“I think it was 10-11 years I was here,” Martinez told Sky Sports. “I’ve still got friends here. I came here as a lad and left a man. I’ll always love this club.
“They are still second, they’ve come far and have one of the best managers in the world. I’ve worked with Mikel [Arteta]. I know how good he is.”
Emery echoed a similarly respectful sentiment after the game when he was asked if it felt like he had ‘got one over’ on his old side. He instead opted to focus on what the result meant for Aston Villa.
“No, it is not how the match is,” the Spaniard told Sky Sports. “It is for Aston Villa, it’s because we had 60 points and with those points we have 63.
“We are closer to being in the top five, this is the only motive I had before the match. Of course, Arsenal to win here it is very difficult because they are doing an amazing season and I think they are very difficult to lose here, to create chances here is very difficult.
“I am very proud of our work, of how the players were focusing and being demanding of themselves to get it.”
Leave a Reply