Emi Martinez Told He’s ‘Got Something Wrong With Him’ as Former Aston Villa Star Tips Goalkeeper for Even Bigger Things

Why Emi Martinez’s Missed Manchester United Move Hasn’t Slowed His Aston Villa Rise

Emi Martinez has never really fitted the mould. From the way he celebrates saves to the way he gets under the skin of opposing forwards, the Aston Villa goalkeeper has always carried an edge. Some love it, some hate it, and some simply shake their heads and mutter that goalkeepers are just wired differently.

According to former Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood, that might not be far from the truth.

Speaking recently, Harewood joked that Martinez has “got something wrong with him”, before quickly making it clear that this unusual streak is exactly what makes the Argentina international so special. More importantly for Villa supporters, Harewood believes Martinez is “destined for more big things”, even after missing out on a high-profile transfer to Manchester United in the summer of 2025.

Instead of sulking or forcing his way out, Martinez has responded in the only way he knows how: by performing, leading, and helping drive Aston Villa into one of the most impressive runs in English football.

Villans on a Roll: Martinez Anchors an Impressive Run

If anyone expected the uncertainty around Martinez’s future to disrupt Aston Villa’s season, they have been badly mistaken. Under Unai Emery, the Villans are flying.

Villa are currently enjoying a nine-game winning streak across all competitions, a run that began back on November 6 and has transformed their campaign. That surge has lifted them into third place in the Premier League, just three points behind leaders Arsenal, and firmly back in the conversation among England’s elite.

Europe has also brought encouragement. Villa are closing in on automatic qualification for the Europa League last 16, while an FA Cup tie against Tottenham in January promises another test of how far this side can go.

At the heart of it all stands Emi Martinez. Calm one moment, chaotic the next, but always decisive. His presence between the posts has given Villa belief, confidence, and a sense that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone.

Emi Martinez Aston Villa mural

The Manchester United Transfer That Never Happened

Last summer felt like a crossroads. After the 2024-25 season, Martinez appeared to bid an emotional farewell to Villa Park. Interest was real, and Manchester United were among the clubs seriously linked with a move for the World Cup winner. Teams from the Saudi Pro League were also circling, offering the kind of contracts that can change a career overnight.

Yet no deal materialised.

Martinez stayed put, and now, with a contract running until 2029, the question naturally follows: will he see out those years in claret and blue?

Harewood isn’t convinced it’s that simple.

“It’s difficult,” he admitted when asked whether Martinez would remain at Villa long-term. “In my opinion, he’s doing really well. Villa are going on an amazing unbeaten run and people will look at them and see why they are doing that.”

For Harewood, the bigger picture matters more than transfer speculation. Villa look settled, organised, and united. Emery has found a formula that works, and Martinez is a central piece of it.

Unai Emery’s Formula and a Squad Playing for Each Other

One of the most striking aspects of this Villa side is how connected they look. Harewood highlighted that straight away.

“They seem to be playing for each other and enjoying their football,” he said. “I will always say that players in any team that are doing well, they all seem to understand each other.”

That unity doesn’t happen by accident. Emery has rotated intelligently, managed egos carefully, and created an environment where everyone knows their role. For a goalkeeper like Martinez, that stability is gold dust. He knows what is expected of him, and the defenders in front of him trust his voice and his judgement.

It’s no coincidence that Villa’s rise has come alongside Martinez’s continued consistency. Fifteen appearances this season, countless key saves, and the kind of leadership that doesn’t always show up on a stat sheet.

‘They’ve Got Something Wrong With Them’: Why Goalkeepers Are Different

Of course, Emi Martinez is not your average goalkeeper, and Marlon Harewood didn’t shy away from that reality.

Asked why goalkeepers often seem cut from a different cloth, Harewood laughed: “No idea. They have got something wrong with them, definitely!”

It’s a line that will resonate with anyone who has ever shared a dressing room with a keeper.

“They are a different breed,” Harewood continued. “All of the keepers I played with, they have definitely been different from the normal bunch of lads.”

Martinez, with his mind games, penalty shootout antics, and unapologetic confidence, fits that description perfectly. Sometimes it crosses a line. Sometimes it sparks debate. But rarely does it leave anyone indifferent.

And for Harewood, that’s exactly the point.

“To be fair, you have to be a certain kind of person to be going in goal,” he said. “To be a top goalkeeper, he has to be that sort of person.”

From Arsenal Cast-Off to Villa Talisman

Martinez’s journey adds even more weight to Harewood’s belief that bigger things still lie ahead. After joining Villa from Arsenal in 2020, few could have predicted just how influential he would become.

Over 220 appearances later, he is not just Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper; he is a symbol of the club’s ambition. A World Cup winner. A leader. A player opponents actively try to rattle because they know how important he is.

Villa are understandably reluctant to let him go. Not just because of his shot-stopping ability, but because of what he brings to the group. He sets standards. He embraces pressure. He thrives on big moments.

“He seems like he is destined for more big things,” Harewood said. “Villa are very lucky to have him.”

Why the Missed Transfer Might Be a Blessing

In hindsight, missing out on a move to Manchester United may not be the disappointment some assumed. At Villa, Martinez is trusted, adored, and central to a project that feels genuinely upward-looking.

At United, he would have walked into chaos, scrutiny, and a fanbase desperate for instant salvation. At Villa, he is building something.

“Hopefully they can have him for another season,” Harewood added. “He is a player you would want to have at your club.”

Those words feel telling. Clubs don’t just want Martinez for his ability. They want his edge, his confidence, his refusal to shrink.

Emi Martinez World Cup trophy 2022

Big Targets Ahead: Club Glory and World Cup Defence

Looking forward, Martinez’s ambitions stretch far beyond simply staying at Villa Park. Domestically, Villa are daring to dream. A Premier League title challenge might sound bold, but this team is laying the foundations. Ending a 30-year wait for major silverware is very much on the agenda, with the club’s last trophy coming in the 1996 League Cup.

On the international stage, the stakes are even higher. Next summer, Martinez is expected to be part of Argentina’s squad as they attempt to defend their World Cup crown. With Lionel Messi potentially still involved, the pressure and expectation will be immense.

For a goalkeeper who thrives on the biggest stages, that challenge feels tailor-made.

A Different Breed, and Proud of It

Emi Martinez may “have something wrong with him”, as Marlon Harewood joked, but in footballing terms, that something feels very right.

He missed a move to Manchester United. He ignored the noise. He doubled down on his performances. And now, as Aston Villa surge forward under Unai Emery, Martinez stands tall as one of the Premier League’s most influential figures.

Different? Absolutely. Destined for more big things? If Harewood is right, this story is far from finished.