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‘His behaviour annoys me’ – Samir Nasri blasts Emiliano Martinez after Aston Villa’s shootout victory over Lille
Aston Villa star Emiliano Martinez shushes Lille fans
Emiliano Martinez has been criticised for his behaviour in Aston Villa’s defeat of Lille (Picture: Getty)

Samir Nasri has condemned Emiliano Martinez’s behaviour in Aston Villa’s dramatic shootout victory over Lille, which booked the club a place in a European semi-final for the first time since 1982.

Thursday’s absorbing Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg had to be decided on penalties, with Matty Cash’s 87th-minute strike making it 3-3 on aggregate after Yusuf Yazici and Benjamin Andre’s earlier goals at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

The tense shootout was shrouded in controversy after Martinez – already on a yellow card – was shown a second booking for shushing and gesturing towards the home support in northern France.

However, the Argentina shot-stopper, who had denied Nabil Bentaleb’s spot-kick, was given the green light to continue by referee Ivan Kruzliak as his earlier booking was not carried through the shootout, a nice rule which left many confused.

After Villa’s victory was confirmed, Martinez proceeded to dance in front of the Lille fans before sprinting to the other end of the pitch to enjoy the moment with the visitors’ travelling support.

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 goalie 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 overcame Lille to reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals (Picture: Getty)

It should come as no surprise that Martinez’s antics were met with heavy criticism in France, especially given the ‘keeper’s questionable celebrations in the aftermath of Argentina’s World Cup final victory over Kylian Mbappe and co two years ago.

Nasri, who briefly shared a dressing room with Martinez at Arsenal, was less than impressed with the way the Argentinian conducted himself in Villa’s victory, claiming his former team-mate was ‘very shy’ as a youngster.

‘His behaviour 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 behaviour has become his stock-in-trade,’ Nasri told French outlet Canal+.

‘You stop a shot on goal, you don’t need to attack the opposing fans by telling them “shh”, frankly.’

Samir Nasri looks on
Former Arsenal star Nasri was less than impressed with Martinez’s behaviour (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.

‘With his decisive save to deny Kolo Muani in the penalty shootout against France [in the World Cup final] and again this evening…

‘He doesn’t need to say “shh” for people to talk about him.’

Emi Martinez looks on
Martinez was booked in the shootout after shushing Lille fans (Picture: Getty)

Villa head coach Unai Emery had nothing but praise for Martinez after the match and revealed he thought the goalkeeper would be given his marching orders when he was booked for a second time.

‘He is very important for us. He has his personality and his personality in the dressing room is very important because he is a leader with his experiences. He has a really brilliant mentality,’ Emery told reporters.

‘And then on the pitch he has his personality and he played fantastic. He saved two penalty shots so of course I am very proud of him. I am very proud of all the players.’

Asked whether he thought Martinez would be sent off, Emery replied: ‘Yes, but the rules are like that.

‘Yesterday, you [the media] were all asking about me about the reception he will get here in France and you could see it throughout the game.

‘He is very experienced and he was trying to control his emotions but the supporters were pushing him.

‘I believe in him and he is mature but with personality. He is always under his own control.’

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