Martinez proves he's still one of world's best by earning Villans point

EMI MARTINEZ  returned to a hero’s welcome from Aston Villa fans with the performance that proved he is still one of the globe’s best.

Poor Lucas Digne may have suffered as a consequence of the Argentine’s performance after a second half collision with the goalkeeper that left the full back nursing a massive lump on his head.

5 Emi Martinez put ona clinic in net for Aston Villa Credit: Reuters

5 Jack Grealish continued his storming start to the season Credit: Alamy

5 The points were shared by both managers Credit: Reuters

But this was a game that would have bled Unai Emery’s side dry were it not for the World Cup winner who, had Villa’s money men had their way, would have been at Manchester United by now.

His display, especially in tipping over a near point – blank header from Michael Keane late on after Jack Grealish’s perfect delivery, proved that huge wages or not he’s still worth plenty.

Emery’s side have still to score a Prem goal this season – that’s five league blanks in a row including the 2 – 0 defeat to United in the last game of the last campaign.

But with Grealish displaying all the verve, personality and skill that once made him the home-grown superstar of Villa and took him on a £100M move to Manchester City , Emery’s side will still believe they drew a line in the sand.

This clash was full circle for Moyes in his second coming as Everton boss.

His first game back was a 1 – 0 defeat to Villa at Goodison but so much has changed since that day in mid-January.

He arrived back with the Toffees just above the drop zone yet he led a stunning rival that saw his side clear of danger by 23 points.

Then followed the club’s biggest – ever net spend in a summer transfer window – nine players brought in for initial fees totalling £97M including the loan arrival of Grealish.

And of course there was the big move out of the Grand Old Lady and into their shiny new 52,000-seater Hill Dickinson home.

An opening day 1 – 0 defeat at Leeds might have brought back the old Blues.

But after beating Brighton and Wolves, Moyes men were in buoyant mood right from the kick – off against opponents who have gone through plenty of changes as well, none of them for the better.

Villa struggled financially all summer due to fears of breaching Prem profit and sustainability rules while also being fined £9.5M for doing so against similar UEFA regs.

At the start their problems showed, too, and by the 4 th minute Beto should have put them a goal down.

How he actually missed a perfect set-up from Iliman Ndiaye only the striker will know and he blew another opportunity soon after, failing to control a ball over the top from James Tarkowski .

Martinez was supposed to go to ease those money worries.

But having regained his place from Marco Bizot – at the wrong end of a shattering 3 – 0 defeat to Crystal Palace before the international break – he grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

5 Martinez made a series of great stops to keep things level Credit: PA

5 Villa are still yet to win this season Credit: PA

Grealish fired through a ruck of players, his shot deflected, but the 33 year old reacted brilliantly to react and parry.

Keane might have done better with a header from James Garner’s corner as Villa fought through a Mersey storm on what used to be known at what as Bramley – Moore Dock

Yet even with Morgan Rogers almost anonymous after his stellar midweek display for England , they managed to weather it.

They were helped by Beto, too, for he kept on spurning opportunities.

But Martinez deserved to walk away with a clean sheet – even if still remains blank at the other end.