Top goalkeeper in the world on Monday, match-deciding howler on Sunday. Elite sport has a habit of bringing the best back to Earth and after Aston Villa’s shock defeat at Nottingham Forest, Emi Martinez knows that feeling only too well.
The Argentina star collected the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony last week after his brilliant displays helped his country win last year’s World Cup. Those weeks in Qatar will be among Martinez’s happiest memories yet he will want to forget his afternoon at the City Ground as quickly as possible.
With Villa trailing 1-0, Martinez’s flew to his left to reach Orel Mangala’s 25-yard effort early in the second half but failed to make a strong enough connection, causing the ball to spin back off the bar and into the net.