
It’s award season as we celebrate the best players and biggest moments across Aston Villa this season.
Words: Regan Foy | @findfoy
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As we’ve reached the end of the Aston Villa Women season and are close to the end of the men’s campaign, it’s time for awards season, as we at Under A Gaslit Lamp celebrate the best players, the biggest moments and more in the world of the Villans.
Signing of the Year: Emiliano Martinez
Our Signing of the Year award goes to arguably one of the best transfers in world football last season, Emiliano Martinez.
The goalkeeper joined just months after winning the FA Cup with Arsenal, and fans questioned the £20,000,000 price tag that Aston Villa paid for the Argentinian ‘keeper.
Since then, Emiliano has won hearts at Villa Park, matching a decade old record for the number of clean sheets in a season for the club.
The Argentinian goalkeeper has recieved a number of call-ups to the Argentina squad this season, but is yet to make his senior debut with River Plate’s Franco Armani and Porto’s Agustin Marchesin ahead of the Villa ‘keeper in the pecking order.
Martinez automatically became a fan favourite, saving an early season penalty on his debut against Sheffield United – and has produced a number of world-class saves this season that has allowed Villa to record a solid 11th place finish.
What a signing you’ve been, Emi!