Martinez Masterclass Earn Villa Point as Everton Left Frustrated
Emiliano Martinez delivered a goalkeeping masterclass that will live long in Aston Villa folklore, single-handedly denying a rampant Everton side in a pulsating 0-0 draw that felt like a victory for the visitors and a defeat for David Moyes’ frustrated hosts.
On an afternoon when everything seemed destined to fall Everton’s way, Martinez stood as an immovable force between the Toffees and three precious points. The Argentine’s return to Villa’s goal could not have been more perfectly timed, as his side desperately needed every save, block, and moment of inspiration he could muster.
The drama began early when Jack Grealish, the Birmingham-born midfielder facing his boyhood club, found himself with a golden opportunity to silence the Hill Dickinson Stadium faithful. Racing onto a perfectly weighted through ball, Grealish seemed certain to score from close range, only to be denied by Martinez’s lightning-quick reflexes as the keeper got down brilliantly to save with his feet.
But it was Michael Keane who became the afternoon’s most tortured figure. The Everton defender, blessed with multiple chances to become the hero, instead endured a personal nightmare that will haunt him for weeks. Time and again, the centre-back rose majestically to meet crosses and corners, his timing perfect, his connection clean – yet the ball refused to find the net.
The crescendo came in the 72nd minute when Keane seemed certain to finally break his duck. Rising highest in a crowded penalty area, his downward header appeared destined for the bottom corner until Martinez conjured magic from nowhere. The Villa keeper threw himself full-length to his left, fingertips meeting leather to divert the ball onto the crossbar in a save that drew gasps from both sets of supporters.
The numbers told the story of Everton’s dominance: 20 shots fired in anger, wave after wave of attacks, and an expected goals tally of 2.12 that should have translated into a comfortable victory. Villa, by contrast, managed a meagre 0.31 xG, their attacking threat virtually non-existent as they adopted a siege mentality from the first whistle.
For Everton, sitting pretty in fifth place, this felt like two points dropped rather than one gained. Their early-season momentum under Moyes remains intact, but the profligacy displayed will concern supporters ahead of next week’s seismic Merseyside derby at Anfield. Liverpool will have watched this performance with interest, knowing their neighbours possess the creativity to trouble any defence – if they can find their shooting boots.
Villa’s escape act keeps them breathing in 19th position, but only just. With four games played and precious few points on the board, Unai Emery knows his side cannot rely on Martinez’s heroics indefinitely. Their trip to face Sunderland next weekend has taken on added significance – another blank could see them slip deeper into trouble.
As Martinez collected his gloves and acknowledged the travelling support, he knew he had delivered when his team needed him most. In a season where every point could prove crucial for Villa’s survival ambitions, this felt like the save of a campaign barely four games old.
