Pundits heap praise on Emiliano Martinez after the Argentine keeper’s brilliant point-bank save
‘A World Cup winner with a world class save!’: Pundits heap praise on Emiliano Martinez after the Argentine keeper makes a brilliant point-bank save to keep Aston Villa ahead at half-time… with Emery’s men holding on to beat Leeds
- Aston Villahave beaten Leeds 2-1 in an exciting Premier League game
- They lead after an early goal from Leon Baily on the counter-attack
- Emiliano Martinez made an excellent point-blank save to keep Villa ahead
- The Argentine keeper was described as ‘world-class’ by Gary Neville
Emiliano Martinez has been widely praised after a brilliant save in the first half of Aston Villa’s clash with Leeds.
Villa were 1-0 up after an early Leon Bailey goal but found themselves under immense pressure from Leeds when Luke Ayling whipped a dangerous ball into the box.
It fell to Jack Harrison, who met the cross powerfully but couldn’t get passed Martinez, who made himself big and kept his side ahead.
Emiliano Martinez made an excellent save for Aston Villa in their clash with Leeds
He denied Jack Harrison from point-blank range to keep Villa 1-0 up in the game
Speaking on Sky’s commentary, Gary Neville said Martinez was ‘a World Cup winner with a world class save,’ while Jermaine Beckford added there was ‘not much else Harrison could do.’
Dion Dublin agreed that it was ‘a great save’ but felt the chance was a wasted one for Jesse Marsch’s side as he argued ‘he has to score.’
There had also been praise for Martinez before the game, with teammate John McGinn calling him ‘the best penalty keeper in the world’ after his role in Argentina’s World Cup win.
Martinez was a vital cog in the Argentina side that won the World Cup in Qatar
The 30-year-old stopper made another good save to deny Wilfried Gnonto after the break.
Despite the scoreline, Leeds troubled Villa throughout the first half and required another moment of defensive brilliance on one of the rare moments when Martinez was beaten.
Rodrigo, one of the form strikers in the Premier League, brilliantly rounded the keeper after 42 minutes and looked certain to score, but Alex Moreno ran in brilliantly on his club debut to clear the ball of the line and keep Villa in front.
There was also an excellent goal-line clearance from Alex Moreno on his Villa debut
The home side’s need for individual brilliance at the back typified a half that saw Leeds constantly knocking on the door, as Unai Emery’s side were forced back.
Emiliano Buendia doubled the lead after half-time, to the delight of Emery, but they have not been the better team in the second half.
Patrick Bamford pulled one back for Leeds in the closing minutes after a brilliant run from Wilfried Gnonto.
It finished 2-1 in Birmingham despite valiant performances from both sets of players.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
