How does Emi Martinez rate alongside other Villa keepers?

[LeeB]

I posted on a Facebook discussion about Jimmy Rimmer only a few weeks ago that if you counted on the fingers of one hand the amount of direct mistakes by Jimmy that resulted in a goal being conceded, you would have zero.

 It's a long time since he played for us and time dims the memory and all that but, that's how I remember it.  I'm sure others will see it differently and have examples.  Emi Martinez has it in his locker to become an all-time great Villa goalkeeper.

I honestly can't ant think of one - Rimmers level and consistency was phenomenal. What Arsenal were doing letting him go I don't know - ditto Martinez.

Quite a similar situation to the one that bought Emi here from what I've read. Had the shirt, but was undervalued, so fucked off.

[dcdavecollett]

I don't think Jimmy was undervalued as such. Spurs made a truly boneheaded decision to release Pat Jennings after relegation in 1977, so Arse snapped him up.

[Des Little]

Rimmer for me, but there is plenty of time for Emi to get even better. I’ll never forget Jimmy keeping Liverpool out at Anfield in 1983 (I think), it finished nil all and he was simply outstanding.

[BC Villain]

Perhaps appropriate time to revisit this.  The only thing keeping Bosnich ahead is that he won things, which Emi hasn't yet

[UK Redsox]

No love for Gabor Kiraly ?

[PaulWinch again]

Bosnich was keeper when I was properly getting into football as a youngster, so always holds an elevated status for me. That said, Emi has been phenomenal and it’s no coincidence Argentina started being winners again once he started playing. If he wins a trophy or two he’ll be the best ever for me.

[dcdavecollett]

Bosnich was the most amazing goalkeeper I've ever seen. His athleticism allowed him to make 'impossible' saves that took the breath away.

However, his footwork was pretty poor -and never really improved over his time here.

Overall, I think Emi is ahead of Marc and, perhaps, Jimmy too.

[tomd2103]

Perhaps appropriate time to revisit this.  The only thing keeping Bosnich ahead is that he won things, which Emi hasn't yet

Bosnich played at a time when goalkeepers weren't really required to use their feet that much, but his kicking was really bad when he first came into the side.  He improved with time, but Martinez is miles better in that area so has to be the number one for me in my time.

Nigel Spink would be in 3rd and and then Brad Friedel and David James (FA Cup final aside) would make up my top 5.

[TelfordVilla]

Bosnich made the best save I have ever seen. He made some outstanding saves in his time with us.
Rimmer gave you the feeling he would never be beaten. At worst we would draw nil nil.
Emi is the best of them all though. He makes a game winning save almost every match. The times he doesn't make that save, usually after an international match involving flying half way around the world, we lose.

[Axl Rose]

Still love Bosnich more. But Emi is a very close second.

Both fucking superb

[rob_bridge]

Yes caught tale end of Rimmer and he was very good. I can't recall any team winning a title who didn't have a very good keeper. There were lots of other top British, well not Scottish, Keepers at the time.

I thought Spink was really good too - he had a good presence about him. Bosnich reflexes and shot stopping was astonishing.

I'd have to say though Emi has best attributes of all of them in a way and the game moves on so his footwork is light years ahead of the other 3.

Top for me for now.

[dcdavecollett]

Like Jimmy, Emi has real leadership qualities as well.

[rob_bridge]

I posted on a Facebook discussion about Jimmy Rimmer only a few weeks ago that if you counted on the fingers of one hand the amount of direct mistakes by Jimmy that resulted in a goal being conceded, you would have zero.

 It's a long time since he played for us and time dims the memory and all that but, that's how I remember it.  I'm sure others will see it differently and have examples.  Emi Martinez has it in his locker to become an all-time great Villa goalkeeper.

I honestly can't ant think of one - Rimmers level and consistency was phenomenal. What Arsenal were doing letting him go I don't know - ditto Martinez.

Quite a similar situation to the one that bought Emi here from what I've read. Had the shirt, but was undervalued, so fucked off.

Didn't Jennings become available so Terry Neil signed him? To be fair that would have been a no brainer at the time.

Arsenal kept Leno instead of Emi which was odd and then spent a fortune on Ramsdale who did well enough 2022/3 and then Raya who was better.

None are as good as Emi though.

[dcdavecollett]

Spurs were relegated in 1977. Perhaps they thought that it was a good time to get rid of a 'keeper well into his thirties.

Like they did with Emi a few years ago, they decided to get rid of a really good goalie.

Still, it worked out well for both teams; Pat Jennings played for Arse for years and Jimmy did the same for us in the most successful period in our history.

[rob_bridge]

Spurs were relegated in 1977. Perhaps they thought that it was a good time to get rid of a 'keeper well into his thirties.

Like they did with Emi a few years ago, they decided to get rid of a really good goalie.

Still, it worked out well for both teams; Pat Jennings played for Arse for years and Jimmy did the same for us in the most successful period in our history.

I forgot Spurs got relegated in that context. I remember (vaguely) newly promoted signing the Argies but Liverpool spanking them 7.0 early season autumn 1978.