Aston Villa's two most influential defensive players returned from international duty this week having performed at the highest level of the international game. Emiliano Martinez with Argentina: the goalkeeper's performances for one of the world's best national teams confirm what Premier League observers have known for three seasons — Martinez is a world-class shot-stopper with the psychological edge that separates good goalkeepers from great ones. His penalty-saving instinct, his aggressive sweeping, and his command of the six-yard box were all on display for Argentina. Pau Torres with Spain: the Spanish national team's defenders are among the most technically demanding in the world. Torres' ability to play into tight spaces under La Roja's pressing structure is the same quality Emery demands of him at Villa Park. His composure and range of passing in the international environment mirrors his club performances exactly. Both players return to Bodymoor Heath this week as confirmed world-class performers. Their involvement gives Emery the defensive foundation he needs for both the Forest fixture and the Bologna leg. When Martinez is in goal and Torres is on the ball, Villa's defensive quality is among the best in English football. Forest and Bologna will discover that in the next nine days. 📅 Sun 12 Apr (Forest) | Thu 17 Apr (Bologna) 🏆 GW30 + EL QF | World-Class Returns