Aston Villa's Emi Martinez nominated for prestigious Yashin Trophy

Emi Martinez nominated for Yashin Trophy

Aston Villa's Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez celebrates after Aston Villa's English defender Kortney Hause (unseen) scored the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 25, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Aston Villa and Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez was announced as one of 10 nominees for the prestigious Yashin Trophy on Friday evening.

Established in 2019 and awarded annually by France Football, the Yashin Trophy is presented to the best-performing keeper in Europe. The honoree is selected by former winners of the Ballon d’Or, football’s top individual prize.

Martinez is joined by the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Thibaut Courtois, Ederson, Keylor Navas, and Manuel Neuer on the shortlist.

Emi Martinez has been a revelation at Aston Villa

Since joining Aston Villa last summer, Martinez has recorded 18 clean sheets, including 15 in 2020-21 alone. He helped propel Villa to an 11th-place finish less than one year after escaping relegation on the final day of the 2019-20 campaign.

Here are the last nominees for the 2021 Yachine Trophy! #tropheeyachine

🇨🇷 Keylor Navas
🇦🇷 Emiliano Martinez
🇩🇪 Manuel Neuer
🇸🇮 Jan Oblak
🇸🇮 Samir Handanovic#ballondor pic.twitter.com/rys6ANVDRA
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 8, 2021

The former Arsenal back-up finished third in the Premier League in total saves last season (135) and second in save percentage (76.8%).

WhoScored.com has Martinez as their highest-ranked goalkeeper in Europe in the calendar year 2021 with a WhoScored rating of (6.98).

Martinez spent the summer at the Copa America and led Argentina to their first continental title since 1987. Martinez was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper and made one save in a 1-0 victory in the final.

Liverpool’s Alisson won the first-ever prize in 2019, beating out Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen and Manchester City’s Ederson. The Yashin Trophy was not awarded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021 winner will be announced on December 2 in Paris at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

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