Why Emiliano Martinez no longer wears No.1 at Aston Villa as goalkeeper reveals 'superstitious' switch

Emiliano Martínez is one of the best goalkeepers in the world but he has abandoned the number in his quest to be the undisputed best.

The Argentine resigned ironically Arsenal for Aston Villa being number 1 in 2020, but has now chosen to change the shirt to number 23.

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Martinez inherited the traditional goalkeeper uniform from Tom Heaton a year after arriving at Villa Park in a £20million move.

He has since worn it for three years before now changing to 23, a number he has never worn at club level.

Why doesn't Martinez wear number 1?

The 31-year-old admitted he changed his shirt to number 23 because of his own superstitions.

The digits adorn the back of his Argentina jersey, where Martinez has experienced incredible success.

The man known as 'Dibu' in his homeland claimed a second America's Cup crown on the side Lionel Messi and company this summer.

That adds to the World Cup he helped win with the Albiceleste in Qatar 2022, where Martínez won the Golden Glove Award for his performances wearing the number 23.

The figure became even more significant for the former Arsenal star when his son Santi was born on June 23, 2018.

He explained to Villa's website: “Well, I think it's been four seasons with the number one. I won every trophy with the national team with the number 23. (It's) the day my son was born.

“I want to bring trophies to the fans, to Villa. I'm very superstitious, to be honest, so I'll change to No. 23 (this season).

“It’s a really special number for me and my family.”

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Villa fans will have even more reason to hope that Martinez's change of shirt will bring them luck this season.

Comes after the manager Unai Emery willing His bold ambitions for the club's first Champions League campaign since 1983.

“I got to the semi-finals with Villarreal “Three years ago,” Emery said. Jeff Stelling and Andy Townsend on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“It was fantastic, we enjoyed it. Now I want to do the same here.”

“My goal at the beginning is to play more than eight games. We will enjoy the Champions League by being competitive and winning.

“The draw is not relevant because we are going to face the best teams in Europe, in Spain, in Italy, in Germanyin France. I have already played in some teams and I want to enjoy it.”