Emi Martinez backed to handle the heat as Aston Villa goalkeeper makes latest France return
Unai Emery has urged Emi Martinez to keep his emotions in check as the Villa goalkeeper prepares to run the gauntlet in France once more.
Villa and Martinez are back across the channel for the third straight season, returning to the scene of their 2024 Conference League quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Lille, where the keeper was a hero for the visitors and villain for the hosts.
Martinez, already an unpopular figure in France following his antics for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, saved two penalties to see Villa through.
Amid chaotic scenes, the Argentina international was shown his second yellow card for antagonising the crowd during the shoot-out, staying on the pitch due to the then little-know rule that bookings revert to zero at the end of extra-time.
It all means Martinez is guaranteed a hostile reception when Villa return to the Stade Pierre Mauroy for a Europa League last-16 first leg tie.
Emery is confident the keeper can handle any flak coming his way.
“We have to control our collective and individual emotions,” said the Villa boss. “Tomorrow we are going to play a match and Emi Martinez has a lot of experience playing with his national team and the club.
“Two years ago, the French crowd here and supporters of Lille were trying to support their players, and also push our players in different ways.
“We are going to play the game, being focused on the game. We are trying to control our emotions together.”
Lille, now managed by Bruno Genesio, currently sit sixth in the French top flight and set-up their rematch with Villa by overturning a first leg deficit against Red Star Belgrade.
“I remember the match (two years ago) because they competed fantastic, two legs,” said Emery.
“Playing at home as well, they showed their capacity, their structure tactically, it was very good, with (Paulo) Fonseca in that moment, but now with Bruno Génésio, more or less, they are keeping the same good way tactically to play.
“They like to play with the ball. They have a lot of mobility, they have versatile players, playing, moving a lot, and experienced players, especially (Benjamin) André.
“And playing here, with the atmosphere they have here, was really very difficult and they came back the result and we needed the penalty shoot-out to beat them.
“I expect a very difficult match, and I expect as well, we must be so, so focused tactically in everything.”
