Emery works a miracle! Dibu Martínez stays at Aston Villa

Dibu Martínez will continue to guard the goal at Villa Park after all.

Details: According to insider Nicolò Schira, Aston Villa’s head coach Unai Emery personally convinced Emiliano Martínez to remain at the club. The Argentine goalkeeper had been set on leaving Birmingham even before the World Cup, but the intervention of the Spanish manager changed everything — the 33-year-old shot-stopper will stay.

• Also read: Panathinaikos - CSKA 1948 Sofia: First leg of the UEFA Conference League qualifying round

The Dibu saga dragged on all summer: the Argentine had agreed personal terms with Juventus and was ready to pack his bags, but in the end, the Turin club pulled out of the deal, deeming the overall cost too high. Villa’s management consistently stated that the keeper was not for sale, and Martínez’s contract with the Birmingham side runs until the summer of 2029.

Unai Emery has already saved Martínez’s career at Birmingham before: a year ago, it was the Spaniard who publicly called Dibu "the best goalkeeper in the world" after a failed move to Manchester United.

Reminder: The deal is off! Emiliano Martínez's future is revealed