Emiliano Martinez was humble as he accepted the Yashin Trophy for the second straight 12 months on the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday.
Martinez, who performed a key position in Aston Villa’s Champions League qualification final time period earlier than serving to Argentina retain the Copa America title.
The previous Arsenal goalkeeper received the Yashin Award in 2023, having been integral to Argentina’s 2022 World Cup success, and he saved maintain of the prize dished out to one of the best goalkeeper on the ceremony in Paris.
“I don’t see myself as one of the best – there are such a lot of good goalies I see week in, week out,” Martinez mentioned upon accepting the award.
“I solely care about group titles with the nationwide group, with Aston Villa. I give attention to myself and my goalie coaches know the work I put in daily.
“For me, it’s about enhancing myself.”
Martinez and Villa have made a formidable begin to the marketing campaign. They’re high of the Champions League with three wins from as many matches, and occupy fourth spot within the Premier League forward of Sunday’s journey to Tottenham.
“It’s enormous for me,” Martinez continued.
“I at all times dreamed of taking part in one recreation for the nationwide group. Coming from such a younger lad to England and attempting to work my method as much as succeed at Aston Villa and with the nationwide group, profitable one [cap] was an honour.
“Again-to-back [Yashin Trophies] is one thing I by no means anticipated. I’m simply proud to be right here right this moment. All thanks go to my household and mates.
“We’re doing one thing superb within the membership, we’re shifting ahead. We’ve received back-to-back trophies with the nationwide group and that’s all I care about.”
EMI MARTÍNEZ THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE…
AGAIN pic.twitter.com/vWvB3ShhKQ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 28, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tottenham – Son Heung-min
Son, who missed Spurs’ defeat to Crystal Palace final week, has been concerned in 9 targets in eight Premier League video games in opposition to Villa (six targets, three assists), although all six of his targets in opposition to them have come at Villa Park. No participant has scored extra in opposition to an opponent with out netting a house purpose within the competitors.
Aston Villa – Emiliano Martinez
Recent from profitable the Yashin Trophy for a second time, Martinez will little question be out to show his credentials as one of the best on this planet.
Protecting a clear sheet and serving to Unai Emery’s group to victory can be a superb begin.
MATCH PREDICTION: TOTTENHAM WIN
Spurs have misplaced two of their final three league matches, however Opta’s supercomputer backs them to return out on high on Sunday.
Tottenham have scored 49 targets in 23 house Premier League video games below Ange Postecoglou. The one boss to hit 50 targets in 24 or fewer house video games with Spurs is Antonio Conte (50 in his first 20).
Solely two of Tottenham’s final 71 house Premier League video games have ended as a draw (W47 L22) and they’re the one facet with no house draw for the reason that begin of final season (W16 L7).
Simply Liverpool (13) and Nottingham Forest (11) have received extra away Premier League factors this season than Villa (10 – W3 D1). Villa have solely received as many as 4 of their opening 5 away league video games in a season as soon as earlier than, doing so in 2020-21 (W4 L1).
Tottenham have misplaced three of their final 4 Premier League conferences with Villa, although did win the final such match 4-0 in March, so whereas Opta’s mannequin fancies Spurs’ possibilities, Villa will definitely be no pushovers.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Tottenham – 49.5%
Aston Villa – 27.6%
Draw – 22.9%
