01 January 2023 , 18:32
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Unai Emery has insisted Emiliano Martinez is still Aston Villa's No.1 despite making the Argentina keeper wait for his return.
Robin Olsen started in Villa’s win at Tottenham while Martinez - who only returned to training on Friday - was on the bench after his World Cup heroics. Villa boss Emery said: "Emi is very important and he is the number one. Robin knows his role and he’s very positive as a person. Matches like today, when we need his performance knowing he achieved it.
"This was our plan. We prepared first Emi to rest for some days after the World Cup, and with Robin we are working and trying to give him confidence, and the confidence is when you can show on the pitch and play matches like today.
"He deserved this clean sheet. His performance was amazing. Emi will train tomorrow and Tuesday and closer to playing with us but after today, we can believe in Robin Olsen."
Emery also heaped praise on his players after what was only Villa’s second away win of the season as Boubacar Kamara put in a man-of-the-match display. Emery added: "They ran, they fought, they were so confident in our defensive moments.
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"Then, when we could add an attacking threat, we did and it was a really good performance and result today. Can we show our level against Tottenham, top six, away, and show we can compete, trying to be competitive and trying to deserve to win?
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"Sometimes, you can win and don’t deserve it. But today, we deserved it. We competed individually and we created chances and scored goals. We were clinical."
Villa's win on New Year's Day leaves them 12th in the Premier League - eight points clear of the relegation zone. Emery's side can start to look up the table instead of down, with Martinez set to play a key role.
There were doubts over whether Martinez would continue as Villa's first-choice goalkeeper following the World Cup. The shot-stopper produced several superb displays in Qatar but was criticised for his behaviour. He controversially put his Golden Glove award to his crotch and held a doll with Kylian Mbappe's face on it during Argentina's victory parade.
Martinez also struggled to get a look in under Emery during their time together at Arsenal, while the Villa manager's pre-match comments raised further doubt. Emery said of the 'keeper on Friday: "Hopefully, he is coming 100 per cent focused on Aston Villa.
"Of course, he needs to adapt quickly again in our work. When Emiliano is coming back, [he has] to adapt again in a new way with us. Congratulations to him and now we are here thinking of our step ahead with Aston Villa."
If Martinez fails to keep hold of his No.1 spot at Villa, a number of top European clubs will be after his signature. "I think he’s the best goalkeeper in the world," said Gabby Agbonlahor on Boxing Day. "He’s won the World Cup with Argentina, outstanding performance."