'He's the best in the world': Ian Taylor says one Aston Villa player hasn't got the credit he deserves
Today at 01:15 PM
Aston Villa recorded one of the greatest results in their history on Wednesday night as they ran out 1-0 winners over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Villans repeated their famous 1982 European Cup final win over the Bundesliga giants thanks to Jhon Duran’s 79th-minute winner.
Duran scored after coming off the bench for the fifth time this season, spotting Manuel Neuer off his line and firing an early shot in from Pau Torres’ pass.
Villa also impressed at the back, securing a clean sheet despite Bayern’s dominance in possession and in front of goal.
The Bavarians weighed in with 17 efforts against the Villans, seven of which were on target, and boasted 70 percent possession.
It was a truly historic night for Villa, and club legend Ian Taylor has now described one of their players as “the best in the world”.
Ian Taylor says Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is the ‘best in the world’
Taylor was speaking about Emiliano Martinez, who has gone from strength to strength since joining Villa back in 2020.
The 32-year-old has won the 2022 World Cup, plus two Copa America titles, since switching from Arsenal to Villa.
Martinez has also dazzled at club level, helping Villa finish fourth to seal a spot in the Champions League this term.
The Argentine made key saves against Michael Olise, Konrad Laimer, Serge Gnabry and Harry Kane in the match.
“He’s been doing it for years now,” Taylor said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“For me, he's the best in the world and he's a big cog in the Aston Villa wheel so without Emi Martinez, we're half the team.
“He's done his bit for so long and he's probably not got the praise he's deserved to be honest. He's a top, top keeper.”
READ MORE:Aston Villa wanted £33m forward who's 'one of the top 10 players in Europe'
What Martinez has said about his Villa future in wake of over Bayern
Martinez, speaking to the Villa media team after the match, said he’s keen on staying put at B6.
He said he had never heard Villa Park so loud, admitting it hurt his ears at some points, and stressed that Villa is a club that’s moving forward.
"It's unreal, to be fair," Martinez said post-match.
"It's the loudest Villa Park I've heard since I joined the club, that's for sure. It was hurting my ears at some points.
"It's a club that's moving forward. That's the main reason why I want to stay at this football club. I love playing here, I love the fans. This is a good win for them."
