Martínez on ‘massive win’

Emi Martínez hailed a “massive” victory as Aston Villa triumphed 2-1 over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Ollie Watkins bagged a brace in west London to take his tally for the season to 18 goals, with Rodrigo Muniz’s 63^rd-minute effort proving mere consolation for the Cottagers.

The three points extend Villa’s unbeaten away record this year to five matches, including four clean sheets, as Unai Emery’s side bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to Manchester United in winning fashion.

It came at the end of a week in which the Villans lost Boubacar Kamara for the season due to a knee ligament injury, joining fellow long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendía.

And Villa’s goalkeeper dedicated the victory to the trio.

“Massive win,” Martínez told VillaTV.

“We thought Manchester United at home would be a big win, to have 11 points gap to them.

“We lost at the end, it was a game we didn’t deserve to lose.

“Coming here there were question marks because we have a few injuries, three ACL injuries in one season, that’s not normal to have that. We’ve been a little bit unlucky.

“And the one thing we said before the game, we need to play for them, because we have the chance to put things right every weekend and they don’t.

“They’re at home supporting us, coming to training every day. Seeing three of my good mates with ACL injuries, it’s a shock for everyone.

“We tried to play for them.”

Martínez made a huge save to deny Adama Traore in injury time and preserve Villa’s advantage.

The stopper admitted he practices a lot of one-on-ones in training, with Martínez also making a fine save to thwart Alex Iwobi with the clash finely poised.

It came after a defensive mix-up between the Argentinian and Clément Lenglet as Muniz was able to nick in at the near post and convert Antonee Robinson’s cross.

But Villa stood firm to see out victory in what was head coach Emery’s 50^th Premier League match in charge of the club.

“I think it’s a miscommunication between me and Clem,” said Martínez.

“I should have come out, Clem had it clear but when he saw me coming he stopped a little bit.

“The goal is on me, I put the team under pressure.

“But when the team is under pressure, I said I’m not going to concede again.

“I tried to help with a couple of saves, a few crosses, but I put the team under pressure.”

You can watch Emi’s full interview below…