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Emiliano Martinez is one of the best goalkeepers in the world but he's abandoned the number in his bid to be the undisputed best. The Argentine ironically quit Arsenal for Aston Villa to be a No. 1 in 2020, but has now opted to ditch the jersey for the number 23 shirt. Martinez inherited the traditional goalkeeping kit from Tom Heaton a year after arriving at Villa Park in a £20million move. He has since worn it for three years before now swapping to 23, one he has never had at club level. The 31-year-old has admitted he has made the change to the number 23 shirt due to his own superstitions. The digits adorn the back of his shirt with Argentina, where Martinez has experienced incredible success. The man known as 'Dibu' in his homeland claimed a second Copa America crown alongside Lionel Messi and co this summer. That adds to the World Cup he helped the Albiceleste win at Qatar 2022, where Martinez won the Golden Glove Award for his performances in the No. 23. The number 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, it’s been, I think, four seasons with the number one. I won all the trophies with the national team with the number 23. [It’s’] the day my boy was born. "I want to bring silverware to the fans, to Villa. I’m really superstitious to be fair, so changing to 23 [this season]. "It's a real special number for me and my family. " Argentina - 12, 23 Aston Villa - 26, 1, 23 Arsenal - 26 Reading - 26 Getafe - 1 Wolves - 26 Rotherham United - 26 Sheffield Wednesday - 26 Villa fans will have even more reasons to hope that Martinez's change of number will bring them luck this season. It comes after manager Unai Emery laid out his bold ambitions for the club's first Champions League campaign since 1983. "I got the semi finals with Villarreal three years ago, " Emery told Jeff Stelling and Andy Townsend on talk SPORT Breakfast. "That was fantastic, we enjoyed that. Now I want to do the same here. "My objective at the beginning is to play more than eight matches. We will enjoy the Champions League by being competitive and successful. "The draw is not relevant because we are going to face the best teams in Europe, in Spain, in Italy, in Germany, in France. Some teams I've played before and I want to enjoy it. " Sign Up Offer: Bet £10 and get a free bet on EVERY Premier League game for the first three weekends of the season - CLAIM HERE T&Cs: 18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile device & bet £10+ on any sports at 2. 00+ odds until 7pm on 16/8/2024. No Cash out. Get 30x£1 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. Gamble Aware. org | Please gamble responsibly This service is provided on talk SPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy.