Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez spoke about the importance of heading out on loan in a recent podcast appearance with former England shot-stopper Ben Foster.

31-year-old Martinez, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, rose through the ranks with Arsenal and made 38 appearances for the Gunners, but found regular playing time hard to come by and was sent out on six loan spells.

His final spell was a short-term stint in Berkshire, quickly becoming a fan favourite under Jose Gomes in his 18 appearances.

Admitting to Foster that he was almost at the point of giving up on English football before joining the Royals, the 2022 Goalkeeper of the Year won the FA Cup with Arsenal upon returning from Berkshire and has gone from strength to strength with Aston Villa.

Speaking on the Fozcast, Martinez commented: "I went on loan at lot and played 18 games for Wolves, 14 games for Sheffield Wednesday, a lot for Reading, and 12 games for Rotherham when they called me to stay up in the league. Those were victories and I learnt along the way. I went to Oxford for one game in League Two at 18. In every loan I had, I was successful.

"The only one I didn’t play well for was Getafe because they didn’t play me. That was the lowest point in my career.

"I did [lose faith] but six months before I had signed a five-year contract so where was I going to go? I had to go on loan again and that’s when I started with my psychologist because I wanted to go home- my time in England was over. It helped me through.

"My son was born before Reading so I promised to God it was my last loan ever- and I kept my promise."

Helping keep the Royals in the Championship following his January arrival, along with fellow inspired loan signings such as Nelson Oliveira and Lewis Baker, Martinez appeared 23 times for Unai Emery upon returning to the Emirates.

Aston Villa finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League for the first-ever time under Emery last season, famously winning the previous competition [European Cup] in 1982.