Aston Villa may have failed to beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, but reigning Yashin Trophy winner Emiliano Martinez did everything he could to keep them in the game. Martinez made four saves in the match, but his save on Nicolas Domingez in the 59th minute has a chance of being the save of the season.
Morgan Gibbs-White tapped on a corner that Domingez headed to create a chance worth 0.46 xG. Martinez’s reaction to that header was impressive, he didn’t have time to react but kept the match level at that point thanks to his excellent play.
Check out this surreal save:
It’s up there with the best saves Martinez has made for club and country, as he has always been one to step up in big moments. During the 2022 World Cup, Martinez denied Randal Kolo Muani in the World Cup final with the match between Argentina and France at level 3-3 in the 123rd minute of play.
That shot was worth 0.39 xG. Take a look:
When you need a goalkeeper to make a save in the most important moments, there is no one in the world more qualified than Martinez. But what was better? They are not all created equal because circumstances matter. Therefore, the save on Kolo Muani is better because he helped Argentina secure a World Cup title. I mean, a last-second save like that is just out of this world with the weight of a nation on his shoulders. But that doesn’t take away from how impressive Saturday’s save was, and for many it was probably the most visually pleasing save.
From worrying players during penalties to taking care of business in open play, Martinez can do it all for Villa or Argentina. Over time we’ll see if this save becomes the best of the year.