The world's best? Emiliano Martinez is not even the best in the Midlands
Before kick-off, in front of over 34,000 Aston Villa supporters, Emiliano Martinez was loudly announced as the best goalkeeper in the world.
After this curiously poor performance from Villa in the FA Cup semi-final and, in particular, their larger-than-life Argentinian World Cup winner, that claim appeared rather suspect.
Martinez is the pantomime villain who usually comes alive when the pressure is on at big events, but this was not an evening he will want to remember.
Questions have to be asked over his culpability in both of Crystal Palace's first two goals, coming just four days after a costly mistake in the Premier League defeat at Manchester City.
EBERECHI EZE! WHAT A GOAL ☄️ pic.twitter.com/aGvQmNzUz2
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 26, 2025
His manager, Unai Emery, is all about the finer details and will be closely examining the differences in key moments.
Martinez was not alone, in what was one of Villa's tamest displays under Emery since he grabbed this historic club by the shirt collar and gave them an almighty shake.
For perhaps the first time since that £17 million move from Arsenal in September 2020, Martinez is under scrutiny from some supporters. Surely the best goalkeeper in the world saves one of those shots which proved such important goals for Palace?
On current form he is not even the best goalkeeper in the Midlands, with Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels leading in the chase for the Golden Glove award.
Imagine the uproar if those goals had flown past other No. 1s such as Manchester United's Andre Onana or Chelsea's Robert Sanchez.
Wayne Rooney, the former United and England captain, was working for the BBC as a pundit and highlighted Martinez's failure to prevent Eberechi Eze from scoring the first goal. The second Palace goal, scored by Ismaila Sarr, was also one that Martinez usually would have saved with the minimum of effort.
At times like this, Villa needed their leaders to show up at Wembley and Martinez did not. It all encapsulated a rather underwhelming occasion for Villa. Emery has won 11 trophies as a manager but cannot have seen this one coming.
While much of the focus was on Martinez, there were other disappointing individual performances. Marco Asensio, the Paris Saint-Germain loanee, was dreadful and it was no surprise that he was replaced 21 minutes from the end. Asensio has won Champions Leagues and performed in some huge matches, but never threatened Palace.
While Emery has transformed Villa beyond recognition, he cannot carry any passengers. Nobody has epitomised Villa's journey from the Championship more than John McGinn, but he also endured a forgettable experience the week after excelling against PSG in Europe.
Villa will now turn their focus exclusively to the Premier League and finishing in the top five. It would be premature to suggest that their season is threatening to unravel, with four vital league games left to play.
Competing in the Champions League next season has always been Emery's ultimate goal and it remains tantalisingly in their grasp.
Few would bet against Emery ending another stirring season with a flourish, yet he will need a swift response after this tepid team performance.
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