Emiliano Martinez will be suspended for Aston Villa’s Europa Conference League semi-final first-leg against Olympiacos.
The Argentina international goalkeeper, 31, was shown two yellow cards in the quarter-final second-leg win over Lille on Thursday night, but because one of the bookings came in the penalty shootout, he was not sent off.
However, UEFA have confirmed that he will miss the first-leg of the last-four meeting because he picked up three bookings between the start of the competition’s group stage and the last eight.
UEFA regulations for the Conference League indicate that “in case of repeated cautions” players, coaches or other staff “are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, which did not result in a red card”.
Martinez was booked in the first-leg against Lille, played on April 11, and twice in the second-leg on April 19.
Emi Martinez silences the Lille fans by saving the first penalty 🧤
Then looks to get a second yellow from the referee?! 🤯
But doesn’t get sent off 😬#UECL
📺 @TNTSports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qU76fw9AGs
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 18, 2024
Villa won the penalty shootout 4-3, with Martinez saving two spot-kicks.
Asked after the game about his yellow card in the shootout, Martinez attempted to defend his actions.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “It’s been hell of a ride all my career. I’m a believer and I’m a hard worker and it was my destiny to win here again.
“I’ve got a reputation for time-wasting because the other goalkeeper was doing the same but I got booked for time-wasting. Then again there was no ball on the penalty spot so I was asking the ballboy for a ball. I don’t understand the rules.
“I always say all my career, my team needs me. We were watching Real Madrid against Manchester City yesterday and the manager was saying we might go to penalties.”
Villa host Olympiacos at Villa Park in the first-leg on May 2 before travelling to Greece for the return fixture a week later on May 9.
GO DEEPER
Emiliano Martinez – a goalkeeper who thrives on being loathed
(Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
