Fans ask ‘how can you not love this?’ as Martinez shares clip of penalty shootout s***housery from Villa win over Lille
EMILIANO MARTINEZ has shared footage of his penalty shootout antics on social media.
The Aston Villa goalkeeper was the hero as they beat Lille on spot-kicks to reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
— Emi Martínez (@emimartinezz1) April 19, 2024
Martinez saved from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre after the clash had ended 3-3 on aggregate following extra-time.
The Argentina international, who bizarrely escaped being shown a red card during the shootout, has now posted a video of his antics to X.
In the clip, his taunts to the crowd after each penalty save can be seen.
Martinez followed his first stop by turning and putting his finger to his lips in the direction of the Lille fans.
He then danced in front of them after securing the victory with his second save.
The home supporters had jeered and booed Martinez throughout the match and into the shootout.
Reacting to the clip, one fan wrote: “How can you not love this?”
Another added: “I don’t care what anyone says, he has that unfiltered AURA. The GOAT.”
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A third supporter also commented: “The best in the world.”
Meanwhile, one more said: “This guy is actually enjoying all of this, France must hate him so much.”
Martinez had been a target for the French crowd on Thursday after his antics in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup final victory.
He was even booked during the shootout but avoided a red card despite also being carded in normal time.
Instead, a little known rule meant he was not dismissed as yellow cards do not carry over into the penalty shootout.
As a result, he was able to stay on the pitch and complete his heroics to send Villa through.
Unai Emery’s side will now face Olympiacos in the semi-finals as the final English club remaining in Europe this season.
The first leg will take place at Villa Park on May 2 before travelling to Greece a week later.
Victory over Olympiacos would set up a final against either Fiorentina or Club Brugge in Athens on May 29.
