When I arrived he was very good, now Emiliano is getting better

MARTINEZ RISES TO UNAI'S SHUT-UP-SHOP CHALLENGE

- by NEIL MOXLEY

UNAI EMERY made a public call for Aston Villa to stop conceding goals and keeper Emi Martinez has answered it.

When the domestic programme resumed following the international break, Villa's boss said they needed to improve their defending. And, following three shut-outs - in all Villa have let in just one goal since shipping four at Crystal Palace five weeks ago - Martinez and his defenders have stepped up.

Emery was in bullish mood about his keeper's form ahead of today's mouth-watering Villa Park clash against the season's surprise package, Nottingham Forest.

He said: "I think Emiliano Martinez is getting better. I arrived here two and a half years ago and at that moment he was very good.

"Now, he's better. He's getting better in everything. As a person, he's being more mature, more responsible. He's getting his individual objectives as well.