Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez insists he made the right decision to remain at the club last summer, rejecting a move to Manchester United, as he prepares for the Europa League final against Freiburg.
Martinez's Commitment to Villa
The Argentine World Cup winner was heavily linked with a transfer to Old Trafford during the 2025 summer window but ultimately decided to stay in the Midlands. Now, with Villa set to contest their first European final since 1996, Martinez believes his loyalty has been vindicated.
"Sometimes football can change, managers can come in and go. People move around the place, but it doesn't mean that I don't have full respect and love for the club," Martinez said. "I had a commitment with Aston Villa. I'm a World Cup winner with Aston Villa. I won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club."
He added: "One day I am going to retire and somebody else will be between the sticks. I'm in a European final, we are in Champions League again, with all the ups and downs. We've got a top coach, we've got a top captain, we have a decent core of the team and when we stick together and fight together, we can beat anybody. I'm really proud to stay. I made the right choice."
Unai Emery's Influence
Martinez also highlighted the role of manager Unai Emery, who has won the Europa League four times with Sevilla and Villarreal, and led Arsenal to the final in 2019. This will be Emery's sixth appearance in a European final.
"It's massive. I have been with some of these players so many years, so many games together fighting for mid-table to European places, to semi-finals. And now we are in the final. I think we deserve it, I think the fans deserve it and obviously the manager has had four or five finals in this competition. We don't wish to have anyone else on the bench apart from him, leading us to a European final," Martinez concluded.
