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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Villa won penalty shootout to reach semi-final</li><li>Martinez controversially booked twice</li><li>Argentine goalkeeper made two heroic saves</li></ul>

Emi Martinez reveals how Lille ultras' abuse 'gave him fuel' as Aston Villa goalkeeper replicates Argentina World Cup penalty-saving exploits in Europa Conference League quarter-final

Premier League

Aston Villa

Crystal Palace

Ligue 1

Lille

Rennes

The 31-year-old was the star of the show as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-emi-martinez-not-sent-off-aston-villa-penalty-shootout-lille-second-yellow-card-clashing-home-fans/blt0bb2fc20210bacac#csbeafe59c780777f7" target="_blank">Villa scraped past Ligue 1 side Lille</a>, saving two shootout penalties from Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre. As usual, he supplemented these heroic saves with some ludicrous antics, repeatedly time-wasting and winding up the Lille fans behind his goal. It seemed to do the trick, and following the game Martinez has admitted that the opposition supporters helped inspire him.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🫣 <a href="https://t.co/hIuiMhImj7">pic.twitter.com/hIuiMhImj7</a>— Emi Martínez (@emimartinezz1) <a href="https://twitter.com/emimartinezz1/status/1781053083444764803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT HAPPENED?

Following the Europa Conference League quarter-final win, <a href="https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-emi-martinez-front-lille-29022809" target="_blank">Martinez told Villa TV:</a> "I get motivated with the fans when they throw stuff on my back. All my life has been throwing stuff on my back and I always get up. It gives me fuel to perform." He continued: "We want to go all the way. That's the message we just sent now: 'we're going all the way, we're going all the way'. We need to have that mentality of when we have to go away we need to secure the game at home."

WHAT MARTINEZ SAID

Many fans were surprised to see Martinez still on the field of play to save that final penalty. He was controversially booked during the penalty shootout for gesturing at fans, after receiving a first booking during normal time for time-wasting. The Argentine shot-stopper was not sent off, however, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-emi-martinez-not-sent-off-aston-villa-penalty-shootout-lille-second-yellow-card-clashing-home-fans/blt0bb2fc20210bacac#cs2dc253a5bc94097a" target="_blank">due to a little-known rule that states players are given a clean slate</a> in terms of their card count during the penalty shootout. Martinez seemed as confused about this as everyone else, but he certainly wasn't complaining.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Their victory over Lille means Villa are through to the Europa Conference League semi-finals, where they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/match/aston-villa-v-olympiakos-piraeus/6it464d6vkanrbhqhtfcazz10" target="_blank">will face Olympiacos on May 2</a>. Unfortunately for the English side, they will have to navigate the first leg without their headline-grabbing goalkeeper; after picking up a total of three yellow cards during the two Lille games, <a href="https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/emi-martinez-miss-aston-villa-29022664" target="_blank">Martinez will now be suspended for the next fixture</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR VILLA?

Emi Martinez reveals how Lille ultras' abuse 'gave him fuel' as Aston Villa goalkeeper replicates Argentina World Cup penalty-saving exploits in Europa Conference League quarter-final | Goal.com

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez has credited his headline-grabbing penalty shootout exploits as being fueled by abuse from Lille ultras.

Emi Martinez reveals how Lille ultras&apos; abuse &apos;gave him fuel&apos; as Aston Villa goalkeeper replicates Argentina World Cup penalty-saving exploits in Europa Conference League quarter-final