Aston Villa midfielder Emi Buendia says Emi Martinez deserves to be regarded as the World Cup's best performing goalkeeper.

The Argentina No1 is preparing for tomorrow's final against France.

Martinez became one of the stars of the tournament with his penalty shoot-out heroics in a quarter-final win over Netherlands and Buendia said: “There have been some very good goalkeepers at this World Cup - Bono for Morocco for example - but I think Martinez is the best in the world right now.

“We are close friends and I speak every day with him. He tells me they are enjoying this crazy feeling now.

“They are preparing for probably the most important game in their lives. He deserves to be there. The last two or three years he has worked hard to be there. Hopefully he can bring home the trophy."

Martinez has enjoyed a meteoric rise from Arsenal back-up to World Cup star in the space of just two-and-a-half years and Buendia added: “That says everything about his personality. He has shown everyone in the world what kind of goalkeeper he is.

“He won the Copa America and was Golden Glove. He equalled a clean sheet record here at Villa in his first season. He is the main No.1 and he deserves this. He works every day for this and I am really happy for him."