Martinez opens up on last summer's transfer saga
[PA Media] Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has spoken about last summer's transfer saga for the first time since it looked like he could leave Villa Park for Manchester United. Martinez left the pitch in tears after Villa's final home game of last season against Tottenham 12 months ago, with the expectation it would be his last home game for the club. He was left out of the squad for August's defeat by Crystal Palace 24 hours before the transfer deadline - yet, despite then-United boss Ruben Amorim's desire to take him to Old Trafford, United opted for Senne Lammens instead and Martinez remained at Villa.
"Well, I say goodbye and I cry when I left my family from Argentina to England as well," Martinez said. "Sometimes football can change, managers can come in and go. You know, in football people move around the place.
It doesn't mean that I don't have full respect for the club. I love the club. "I have a commitment with Aston Villa.
I am a World Cup winner with Aston Villa, I have won two Golden Gloves with Aston Villa. I will always and forever love this club. "One day I am going to retire, so someone else will need to be between the sticks.
" Martinez was speaking before Wednesday's Europa League final against Freiburg in Istanbul having helped Villa - who are fourth in the Premier League - qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons. Villa are aiming to end a 30-year trophy drought and win a first major European title since lifting the European Cup in 1982. The 33-year-old Argentina international said: "I am in a European final and we have got Champions League again with all the circumstances that we have had and battles we have had this year.