Aston Villa's Martinez heir? Record-breaking 22-year-old is IDEAL for Emery

Tom Weber

Updated: 8 Apr 2025 14:58 BST
4 min read

Emiliano Martinez, Argentina, Aston Villa, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Emiliano Martinez is arguably the world's best shot-stopper, but Aston Villa are not particularly well-stocked in the goalkeeper department.

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When the eccentric Argentine isn't available to Unai Emery, the Spanish tactician has to deploy 35-year-old Robin Olsen. The Swede is a capable deputy, to be sure, but he is neither a long-term option nor someone you want to rely on for an extended period of time.

Current ETV

Emiliano Martínez

Aston Villa

Emiliano Martínez

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€15.1M - €18.5M

At 32, Martinez is not old for a goalkeeper, but he is unlikely to be the Birmingham club's shot-stopper for the next decade. 20-year-old Poland youth international Oliwier Zych is well thought of and he impressed on loan at Puszcza Niepolomice last season, however, he is still waiting for his senior debut and has primarily been with the U21s this term.

With Aston Villa one of the smartest clubs in English football, it would be quite surprising if they are not already succession-planning for a future without Martinez or, at the very least, looking for a potential understudy.

Using data from SciSports, FootballTransfers found an ideal long-term heir for Martinez, who already boasts ample experience and is on the radar of Premier League clubs.

Atubolu ideal for Aston Villa

The goalkeeper in question is up-and-coming Freiburg star Noah Atubolu. The 22-year-old has risen through the ranks of his hometown club and is now already in his second season as the team's undisputed No.1.

After impressing for the Bundesliga club's third-tier reserve side, Atubolu was offered the chance to succeed Mark Flekken in the first team after his move to Brentford. Considering that Flekken had been one of the Bundesliga's best shot-stoppers, this was a huge vote of confidence from then-manager Christian Streich.

Atubolu has certainly repaid the faith put in him. Of course, he made some mistakes in his first season and he still has a wobble every once in a while, but this is only natural considering that it is very much out of the ordinary to be a top-flight starting goalkeeper at such a young age.

He has been incredibly reliable for Freiburg this season and even set a club record for minutes without conceding earlier in the campaign. He has kept 10 clean sheets so far, although he is currently nursing a shoulder injury after an unfortunate collision with teammate Philipp Lienhart.

© IMAGO - Kiliann Sildillia and Noah Atubolu

Atubolu is solid with the ball at his feet and has excellent reflexes. Additionally, he has garnered a reputation as a penalty specialist, saving four of the seven Bundesliga spot-kicks he has faced.

At times, he can be indecisive when coming to claim balls, and his decision-making still needs work, but this should automatically improve with experience. According to SciSports, Atubolu would be perfect for Villa.

The analytics firm's Career Advice tool gives him an impressive Club Fit rating of 82 for Villa, only bettered by Fulham's score of 83. His future clearly lies in the Premier League, and clubs have already begun taking notice of his exploits: in January, West Ham were said to be courting him.

SciSports suggest that Atubolu is a significantly better goalkeeper right now than Martinez was at his age, although he would obviously not (yet) be an upgrade on the current 32-year-old iteration of the World Cup winner.

However, given SciSports' Club Fit rating, his age and evident world-class potential, Atubolu would be a perfect understudy and eventual replacement for Martinez at Aston Villa.