Samir Nasri has publicly condemned Emiliano Martinez’s conduct during Aston Villa’s dramatic shootout win over Lille, securing the club a spot in a European semi-final for the first time since 1982.
Thursday’s intense Europa Conference League quarter-final match had to be settled with penalties, with Matty Cash’s 87th-minute equalizer making it 3-3 on aggregate after earlier goals from Yusuf Yazici and Benjamin Andre at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy. strike The tense shootout caused controversy after Martinez – already on a yellow card –received a second booking for shushing and gesturing towards the home support in northern
However, the Argentine goalkeeper, who had stopped Nabil Bentaleb’s penalty, was allowed to continue by referee Ivan Kruzliak as his previous booking did not carry through the shootout France.
, a surprising rule that left many confused. Following Villa’s win, Martinez danced in front of the Lille fans before racing to the other end of the pitch to celebrate with the visitors’ traveling support.When asked about his second booking during the shootout, Martinez told TNT Sports: ‘I’ve just got a bad reputation for time wasting because the other goalkeeper was doing the same thing.
‘But I get booked after 30 minutes when we’re losing the game. I don’t know what the ref wants from me.
‘Then there was no ball on the penalty spot [in the shootout] so I asked the ball-boy for a ball, and then I get booked! I just don’t understand the rules.’
Villa defeated Lille to reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals (Picture: Getty)
It’s no surprise that Martinez’s actions were heavily criticized in France, particularly given his questionable celebrations following Argentina’s World Cup final victory over Kylian Mbappe and co two years ago.
‘His behavior annoys me because he wasn’t like that before. I knew him when he was very young at Arsenal, he was very shy.
‘And now, this behavior has become his trademark,’ Nasri told French outlet Canal+.
Former Arsenal star Nasri was unimpressed with Martinez’s actions (Picture: Getty)
The ex-Arsenal and Manchester City star added: ‘There you go, I find it very limiting. Especially since he doesn’t need to do that.
‘He doesn’t need to say “shh” for people to talk about him.’
Martinez was booked in the shootout after shushing Lille fans (Picture: Getty)
Villa’s head coach Unai Emery praised Martinez after the game and said he thought the goalkeeper might be sent off when he got his second booking.
‘On the pitch, he showed his personality and played amazingly. He saved two penalty shots, so I am very proud of him and all the players,’
When asked if he thought Martinez would be red carded, Emery answered, ‘Yes, but that’s how the rules are.’
‘Yesterday, the media were asking me about the reception he would receive here in France, and you could see it throughout the game,
He is very experienced and was trying to control his emotions, but the fans were getting to him.
I believe in him, he is mature with a strong personality and always in control of himself.’
Nasri was not happy with Martinez’s behavior during the shootout.
‘I believe in him and he is mature but with personality. He is always under his own control.’
