Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa fans is one of the best keepers in the world right now, but do the statistics back this claim up?

When you hear of Aston Villa players being deemed world class you assume the conversation is regarding captain Jack Grealish. However, with Emiliano Martinez now being the highest rated goalkeeper in Europe’s top five League’s on WhoScored.com’s match ratings (7.14), there is now more than one world class player in this Villa squad.

Martinez’s value to this squad was on full display against Brighton. He made nine crucial saves to ensure Villa came away with an extremely undeserved point at the weekend. This isn’t the first time Villa have depended on him this season. His previous high was seven saves which he recorded in several games such as Manchester City, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Villa are enjoying a successful campaign sitting eighth in the table with at least game in hand on most around them. They owe a large proportion of this to the efforts of Emi Martinez.

The Aston Villa number one is truly one of the best keepers in the league, and the stats are there to support this claim. He faces 4.84 shots per game, the sixth highest in the league. However, in this top six, Martinez is the only keeper from a side in the top half of the table. Villa as a team come under the same amount of pressure as teams lower down the table such as Burnley (5.12 shots per game) and Newcastle (5.18 shots per game). Further emphasising how vital Martinez has been to the recent success Villa have experienced.

He has also prevented 10.46 goals this season, which is second in the league behind only Burnley’s Nick Pope at 11.16 goals prevented, as well as the fourth highest in Europe. It is clear to say that Martinez isn’t your usual top half keeper who is often left bored throughout games and has little to do. Martinez is regularly tested in games, and consistently produces and can be relied upon. Which in terms of a keeper for Villa, hasn’t been the case since Brad Friedel was at the club.

As previously mentioned, Martinez isn’t just impressing within the Premier League. His performances are being recognised globally. Expected goals against measures the threat opponents offer to a team. For example; in the graphic below Ederson has 14 clean sheets this season, but this Manchester City squad are rarely challenged in terms of opposition that is why the expected goals (xG) Ederson has faced is so low.

Graphic: @pgr_analytics

The Argentinian keeper has faced a considerable amount of xG, and the graphic clearly shows he is in a class of his own. Benoit Costil is the goalkeeper for Bordeaux and he has also kept 12 clean sheets so far this season. However, his xG faced is 27.83 xG compared to Martinez’s 32.19 xG. Jan Oblak, largely regarded as the best keeper in the world currently and has the protection of historically one of the best defences in the world in front of him, has kept 11 clean sheets having only faced 19.18 xG. Emi Martinez has kept a high number of clean sheets and has had to earn every single one.

For years Villa have been crying out for a commanding goalkeeper that provides fans with confidence in every situation in the game. Martinez is third out of all keepers in the Premier League for exits per game with 1.77, which are events when he leaves his line to deal with a cross or pass. He is confident and assured in claiming the ball, which previous Villa keepers have struggled with. He is also confident with the ball. He has attempted 617 passes this season which is fifth amongst keepers, showing he is an outlet Villa will often use. As well as completing 181 launched passes which is also fifth amongst keepers, even after playing at least one less game than most.

Whilst signings such as Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash may get more attention, many Villa fans will feel Emiliano Martinez is their best signing. Aston Villa have him to thank for a large proportion of their success this season.