Emiliano Martinez has signed for Aston Villa

Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has reportedly joined Aston Villa from Arsenal for a reported fee of £20m.

The 28-year-old starred for the Gunners during the final weeks of the previous season after the injury to Bernd Leno.

Earlier last month, Martinez indicated that he may have to leave the north London side unless he is assured with a regular starting berth.

That was unlikely to happen with the consistency shown by Leno over the past two years and he has now been permitted to join the Villains.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Argentine has officially made the move to the west Midlands outfit and has signed a four-year deal.

Martinez is expected to start in goal for the Villains when they face Sheffield United in their Premier League opener on September 21.

Tom Heaton was the club's first-choice goalkeeper last season, but he is still recovery from a serious knee injury picked up in January this year.