Aston Villa could swoop to sign golden Emi Martinez replacement as perfect £25m opportunity arises

Aston Villa may have found the perfect Emi Martinez replacement

Aston Villa may be on the search for a new goalkeeper this summer, after reports have grown in recent weeks that Emiliano Martinez will depart the club after five outstanding years at Villa Park.

The Argentine shot-stopper has been a key member of the Unai Emery side which saw Villa return to the Champions League for the first time in a generation and replacing him will be a difficult task, though the Villains will have been doing all they can to ensure they are ready for when the day does arrive.

His class and experience will be difficult to replace, but, if 32-year-old Martinez does move on, the club will be looking at younger options who can begin their own Villa Park legacy. One such option has arisen who may be a surprising candidate, but after a strong last campaign he may be viewed as a man ready to take over the Villa goalkeeping mantle.

Aston Villa interested in Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic

The man to take the place of Martinez could be Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic, according to The Times. The 25-year-old may have been shipped out on loan last campaign after an unconvincing first season at Stamford Bridge, but he shone at Strasbourg and was named the club’s player of the season as they returned to European football, attracting the attention of Villa.

The Serbian international undoubtedly has his best years ahead of him, with time to grow into the top-class goalkeeper Chelsea knew he could be when they signed him from MLS club New England Revolution in 2023. Sunderland and Bournemouth are also reported to be interested in a £25m deal for Petrovic.

Petrovic could follow in the footsteps of Martinez in more than one way. Villa fans will remember that the West Midlands club signed Martinez after he hadn’t been given the chance to succeed at Arsenal, a short period impressing in the absence of Bernd Leno enough to convince Villa to take a chance on him. It could be a similar situation with Petrovic, who has shone at Strasbourg and may now be hoping for his opportunity in the Premier League.

Petrovic ‘world class’ – Liam Rosenior

Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior poured praise on Petrovic during his time at the club. After his side beat Lille 2-1 in January, Rosenior said: “We have seen huge progress from Petro. He is a world-class goalkeeper. We see it every day and it is still paying off today.”

This high praise was echoed by French newspaper L’Equipe, who said: “If Strasbourg is playing in Europe, it is partly thanks to Petrovic, the goalkeeper of the temple. Match after match, the Serbian on loan from Chelsea proves that he could have deserved to keep the Blues’ goal. In Burgundy, he kept his goal inviolate for the fourth match in a row.”

Petrovic himself has also spoken of the progress he made last season. “I’ve always had confidence in my ability to improve. I’ve made more progress than I expected. I still have a bit of room to improve before the end of the season,” Petrovic said. “I’m focused on finishing the season in the best possible way. We’ll see what happens this summer.

“I work every day to improve so I can be there when my team-mates need me on the pitch. I’ve become a more complete goalkeeper than before I came to Strasbourg. The coach really encourages us to play with the ball and take risks. It’s a lot of detail and concentration. This also comes from the staff, who give us a lot of confidence.”