On 26/08/2026 at 16:57, WhiteWall said:

I think it is all bo**ocks actually.

• Sanchez had a stinker to all except Chelsea's own goalkeeping team.

• Martinez is out there looking for a club, Villa are imploding.

• Chelsea have a bright prospect (allegedly) whose path shouldn't be blocked.

• Martinez is 33 and Sanchez is 28. Perfect mentoring age

Let's join the dots, make a headline and get some clicks.

Don't get me wrong i do like Martinez and wouldn't say No. That said after the Argentinian's antics against us in the WC this image still raises a smile and an overwhelming sense of karma in my heart

God, he cries ugly.

28 minutes ago, dermott said:

Subject to a medical, presumably. Will we tread where Juve wouldn't?

I've long suspected our medical department is led by Maureen the tea lady who has a soft spot for broken boys, so he'd probably sail through the medical even if he has no fingers at all.

55 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

reports it may be a loan.

Hmm, perhaps wages are a problem?

Loan conditions would be interesting. Perhaps a buy obligation on similar terms to Garnacho.

🚨 NEW: Chelsea are now negotiating directly with Aston Villa as they look to complete the signing of Emiliano Martínez. (Cesar Luis Merlo)

First it was Alvarez now it’s Martinez. We buying Enzos mates to convince him to stay.

4 minutes ago, DarkMata said:

First it was Alvarez now it’s Martinez. We buying Enzos mates to convince him to stay.

No way we buy Alvarez.

Deal agreed:

2 year deal plus option for a 3rd.

Have called for signing Diogo Costa all summer but we are so determined to not block Penders we won't go for anyone who is not old.

At least it means no more Sanchez.

Very happy with this.

I actually dont think there is a massive difference between Sanchez and Martinez, both have a howler in them, however what this does is take all the narrative away from the goalkeeper situation, at 33 he adds leadership, and a calmess to the defence, and also winning mentality, he will be ideal short term so we can see if Penders is the one.

Very promising signs fron the board this summer.

Xabi Alonso and Dave Fallows seem to be in control more and we are seeing actual football decisions, and no one will complain about the £40m Atalanta defender, as long as we are also focusing on the here and now.

Finally a proffesional goalkeeper!

May not be in his prime but no more Sunday League Sanchez!

Great signing, especially for 7.5m.

He was brilliant a few years ago, and I’m sure he’s still half decent nowadays. 33 is no age for goalkeepers really.

The best thing about this is no more Sanchez!

He will bring some leadership and genuine competition for Sanchez, while Penders is allowed to develop.

Lacroix, James, and Martinez in the backline bring a wealth of experience, quality, and security.

Very happy with this.

So interested to see how we solve Sanchez/Penders now. Hopefully we sell Sanchez, but is there time?

If this all ends up with Ben Roberts leaving the club I'll be skipping through the meadows for days on end

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by AndyDowsleftflank

Literally took Alonso one game to bin off Sanchez.

Like the guy more every day that passes

31 minutes ago, AJMurphy said:

Literally took Alonso one game to bin off Sanchez.

Like the guy more every day that passes

Only an idiot wouldn’t have gone straight into the boardroom after that game to say ‘if they are in the sticks, we won’t win sh*t’

Again, fair play to the board, actually thought they’d wait until January at least.

Just hope Ben Roberts doesn’t cause issues internally, work place politics in general and favouritism don’t suddenly stop at football clubs.

10 minutes ago, Term_X said:

Again, fair play to the board, actually thought they’d wait until January at least.

Just hope Ben Roberts doesn’t cause issues internally, work place politics in general and favouritism don’t suddenly stop at football clubs.

If Robert’s sees his arse with the decision, show him the door too. This club has been run so badly in recent years, time for all to see we mean business. There has to be consequence for poor decisions, be it on or off the pitch.

Great signing, an absolute steal at that price. I geuinely think we can push Arsenal to the wire. I have a really good feeling about this season.

30 minutes ago, Term_X said:

Just hope Ben Roberts doesn’t cause issues internally, work place politics in general and favouritism don’t suddenly stop at football clubs.

Is there anything to actually back up this Roberts - Sanchez thing or is it just that they both were at Brighton?

I’ve heard it a lot and kind of took it to be more or less true. But is it?

Ive been following Aston Villa for well over 50 years - Martinez is by some distance the best keeper Ive ever seen. Youve signed an absolute baller - Honestly you are going to love him. He has an eye for spectacular saves - sure. But equally on crosses he is so incredibly assured - you just wont even be worried - He nearly always gets his angles right - and organizes the defense for corners & high pressure situations .

Mentally strong (and a bit mental) - If he does have a poor game - He tends to bounce back to his superhuman best in the next game.

Im gutted hes gone - But think Chelsea is the ideal move for him - I think he will get you an extra 6-10 points next season - he is that good.

Enjoy.

13 hours ago, AndyDowsleftflank said:

It matters if you think Penders could be better than Costa - and to get there he has to play. If you buy Costa for 50-60 million now he will be the starting goalie for us for a long time. So Penders development is stunted, his value drops and everybody loses. Better to sell him now, in that case.

So if we finally decided we dont trust Sanchez anymore, I'd much rather get Martinez as a short term competitor with Penders, it buys Penders some time to develop without blocking him but it might be that Costa is so good we shouldn't really care about Penders. I dont really know

We all felt the same about Cuducini.

It's more important we win something. Penders is young enough to start somewhere else.

37 minutes ago, AVFC Visitor said:

Ive been following Aston Villa for well over 50 years - Martinez is by some distance the best keeper Ive ever seen. Youve signed an absolute baller - Honestly you are going to love him. He has an eye for spectacular saves - sure. But equally on crosses he is so incredibly assured - you just wont even be worried - He nearly always gets his angles right - and organizes the defense for corners & high pressure situations .

Mentally strong (and a bit mental) - If he does have a poor game - He tends to bounce back to his superhuman best in the next game.

Im gutted hes gone - But think Chelsea is the ideal move for him - I think he will get you an extra 6-10 points next season - he is that good.

Enjoy.

Thanks for taking the time to pop in here and share your thoughts !

Best of luck in the Champions League this season !

Being reported as a done deal in The Guardian.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/aug/27/chelsea-agree-deal-sign-emiliano-martinez-aston-villa-enzo-fernandez

7 hours ago, AVFC Visitor said:

Ive been following Aston Villa for well over 50 years - Martinez is by some distance the best keeper Ive ever seen. Youve signed an absolute baller - Honestly you are going to love him. He has an eye for spectacular saves - sure. But equally on crosses he is so incredibly assured - you just wont even be worried - He nearly always gets his angles right - and organizes the defense for corners & high pressure situations .

Mentally strong (and a bit mental) - If he does have a poor game - He tends to bounce back to his superhuman best in the next game.

Im gutted hes gone - But think Chelsea is the ideal move for him - I think he will get you an extra 6-10 points next season - he is that good.

Enjoy.

Thanks for this. A really good insight into how Martinez is still performing.

In return, I'd like to apologise on behalf of everyone here for selling you Jackson and Garnacho. We are delighted Villa have taken them off our hands!