Back in 2025 Martinez waved goodbye the Villa crowd on their final home match of the 2024/25 season as the shot stopper believed he would depart the club that summer.
He was visibly emotional, had tears in his eyes and fans were sure that it was his final game. Fast forward to present day and he is still there and Villa have since signed Suzuki to take his place.
The goalkeeper, who turns 21 today, arrives from Juventus to take the no.1 spot under manager Unai Emery who revealed today that the pair could stay even Martinez suggested he wants to leave once again.
"We can share both. This scenario is not a bad scenario at the beginning. We have two excellent goalkeepers.
“Of course, we signed Suzuki thinking not for the future (but for) now, because I think he showed his capacity to show his performance in our level. He will need to adapt to us but more of less he's playing this level.
"And Emiliano Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career. Not now, even last year he was as well thinking in case he can't have one possibility to change for his challenges and he didn't do (it) last year and he performed fantastic with us.
"This year he transmitted again the possibility to have another challenge and we decided to sign Suzuki because I think he's a fantastic goalkeeper.
"Now my ideal scenario with the goalkeepers is really fantastic. Of course, maybe we can change something."
The 23-year-old Suzuki, who was Japan's goalkeeper at the World Cup this summer could make his debut against Brighton this weekend as Emery decides on his side.