By TOM COLLOMOSSE, FOOTBALL REPORTER

Published: 22:30, 2 January 2026 | Updated: 22:30, 2 January 2026

Emi Martinez has been ordered to wake up to the harsh reality of modern goalkeeping following his high-profile blunders against Chelsea and Arsenal.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper has been putting in extra work with the club’s coaches to improve under the high ball, after his uncertainty at corners saw Villa concede the opening goal in each of their last two matches.

Though Villa fought back to win at Chelsea, Arsenal ran out 4-1 winners to move six points clear of Unai Emery’s men. Villa boss Emery believes goalkeepers no longer receive the same protection from referees as they once did and joked they may soon need to be more than 7ft tall to cope.

Emery said: ‘In the future, we will need 'keepers at 2m 20cms (7ft 2ins). Maybe we need to get boxing (gloves).

‘He’s working with the goalkeeper coach about how football is changing. It is changing in the way referees interpret these situations. Usually, Emiliano Martinez is showing us his power...