Lille chief calls out Villa keeper’s attitude after cheeky crowd act in wild penalty shootout

Aston Villa kept their bid for a first European trophy in over 40 years alive after beating Lille 4-3 on penalties following Matty Cash’s late goal that forced extra time.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre in the shootout to send Villa through after being whistled loudly by a crowd irked by his celebrations after his starring role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final win over France.

There was a strange moment during the shootout when he was shown a second yellow card for more antics, but rules dictate that any bookings are reset before penalties commence.

Get on board Kayo and watch every game of every round of the NRL + AFL Seasons live and ad break free during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

“It’s been a hell of a ride all my career. I’m always a believer and a hard worker. It was my destiny to win here again,” Martinez told TNT Sports post-game.

“I’ve just got a bad reputation for time-wasting because the other goalkeeper was doing exactly the same thing.

“I get booked after 30 minutes and we’re losing the game so I don’t know what the referee wanted for me. In the shootout, there was no ball on the penalty spot and I was asking for a ball from the ball boy... and then I get booked.

“I just don’t understand the rules. I know my team-mates need me and I own my box. I just used all my experience.”

Lille president Olivier Letang though said Martinez’s attitude was not befitting a player of his calibre.

“I don’t want to take up time talking about this lad who has an attitude that isn’t that of a very high level athlete,” said Letang.

“In victory or defeat, you have to stay calm and gracious, so I prefer to focus on ourselves and that we bring out the positive