David Moyes says Aston Villa star did something ‘really good’ during 0-0 Everton draw

Add as preferred source on Google

Emiliano Martinez marked his first Aston Villa appearance since his failed transfer to Manchester United with an incredible point-winning save on Saturday.

Martinez was left out of Villa’s 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace before the international break as he was expecting to join Manchester United the following day before the transfer window closed.

However, United opted to sign Belgian Senne Lammens instead, leaving Martinez disappointed and still an Aston Villa player.

Recalled to the starting line-up on Saturday, Martinez kept a clean sheet for Villa at Everton and denied Michael Keane late on with a wonderful stop.

Everton manager David Moyes hails Emiliano Martinez save as points shared with Aston Villa

Aston Villa’s winless start to the season continued at Everton and they remain the only side in the top seven divisions not to score a goal in 2025/26 so far.

However, they registered a useful point at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, and that was thanks to Martinez’s brilliant save from Keane.

Speaking after the game, Everton boss David Moyes said: “Keano [Michael Keane] is capable of it, and he has done it in the past.

“His [Emi Martinez] save was really good. The second opportunity [for Keane] I thought it had gone in.”

Unai Emery hails Emiliano Martinez comeback for Aston Villa, no hard feelings after transfer collapse

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Unai Emery said: “I am so, so happy. We need him. We struggled in his situation, but we have to get [our] feelings together and feel the collective objective.

“Today, his comeback has been fantastic. We have to protect him and feel him inside the group so he is comfortable and confident. He was fantastic.”    

In another interview, this time with BBC Sport, Emery added: “We competed very well. Again, the goalkeeper [Emiliano Martinez] coming back playing a fantastic match.

“He saved us a lot of times. He made us confident we could play with our identity.” And Martinez himself posted on social media: “When I wear the crest, I give nothing less than my all.”

It seems that despite his near exit at the start of the month, both Martinez and Villa are back on the same page and have already put the transfer collapse behind them.